Tributes have poured in after an 'inspirational man' who raised nearly £40,000 for Motor Neurone Disease lost his fight for life.

Jody Duff's family lived by the motto "great PMA" and despite suffering from Motor Neurone Disease, his own positive mental attitude was an inspiration to all who met him.

Jody, who died at the weekend, raised thousands of pounds for charity helped by his family, friends and local community.

They started off with a target of £5,000 but the total on his justgiving page now stands at more than £38,000.

The 37-year-old from Lordswood organised successful fundraising events for the MND Association, including an ice bucket challenge, a sponsored walk and a family fun day centred around his local pub, the Victoria Cross in Lordswood.

Pub manager Sagar Pandey said: “He was a great gentleman who will be greatly missed by all our customers. Our thoughts go out to his family on behalf of all of us.”

Tributes to the 37-year-old from Lordswood have been posted on Facebook, describing him as a true gentleman, a lovely man, and a legend.

Jody's fundraising total includes a £10,000 donation from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

A lifelong Coldplay fan, Jody met the band in July after a concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

Chris Martin sat and talked with Jody before inviting him to come to the show the following evening where he dedicated Jody’s favourite song, Fix You, to him.

Video: Coldplay dedicating Fix You to Jody at the Royal Albert Hall in July

A charity boxing match takes place on Sunday October 19 at Casino Rooms, Rochester where Jody was a regular and well-known customer.

On behalf of Paul Stone, his family and all at Casino Rooms, owner Aaron Stone said: "Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the legend Jody Duff.

"Jody was a genuine hero in the truest sense and never arrived anywhere without a mischievous smile on his face. Despite all his intense challenges and struggles that would have rendered others housebound, he was always out in a sharp suit looking for the best party in town. As if that wasn't enough, he carried himself with a charismatic charm and intellectual air that left many of us awestruck.

"We often use the word “Inspirational” without really thinking what it means. To me it is a term for someone, who by their own actions, makes others want to do better and be better. If there is anyone that I have met that was inspirational, it was Jody Duff. He was the real deal.

"Jody - you will be missed by many and you should know that you have certainly left your mark in the hearts and minds of everyone that you came into contact with. I consider it a genuine privilege to have called you my friend."

Pamela Fry, regional fundraiser for the MND Association said: “ I met Jody and his family just a few weeks ago at their sponsored walk in Chatham attended by over 200 people and this is very sad news indeed.

"Jody was such a delightful, positive and motivating person who always had time for others. Together with his family and friends they did so much to raise funds for and awareness of motor neurone disease.

“Jody touched so many people and the recent story of his meeting Coldplay too was amazing and inspirational.”

Leave your tributes to Jody below.

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