A man who has quietly been raising money for Motor Neurone Disease in memory of his wife, has donated thousands of pounds.

Terry Cook, whose wife Madeleine suffered with the condition before she died 12 years ago, has been collecting donations at Yeoward Boatyards in Salcombe for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Terry is on hand if anyone wants to come and see the crabs, lobsters and scallops that they sell in the entrance to the boatyard, and his collecting tin for MND is always close by. He has raised hundreds of pounds a year.

Last year, Terry and his team have decided to be more pro-active and a sign has appeared on the wall behind the lobster tank that says: “Looking at the crabs and lobsters is free, but a donation to the Motor Neurone Disease Association is always very welcome”, this has nearly doubled the money that has been donated.

Chris Browning, Terry’s colleague, said: “It started with a bucket, since then its got more official. He raised around £700 in 2017, £360 in 2016, he must have raised thousands over the years.

“It’s a great thing for him to be recognised, he’s just one chap helping where he can.

“One guy came in and bought some crab and put £10 in the collection pot. I told him that would make it up to £100, so he asked for it back, and he swapped it for a £50 note.

“Terry is everybody’s favourite, coming to see him and his lobsters and crabs has been part of people’s holidays for decades.”

According to the MND Association website: “Motor Neurone Disease describes a group of diseases that affect the nerves (motor neurones) in the brain and spinal cord that tell your muscles what to do.

“With MND, messages from these nerves gradually stop reaching the muscles, leading them to weaken, stiffen and waste.”

Terry looked after Madeleine when she was diagnosed, helping her with everything. “She was always happy,” he said, “she never complained”. She loved going out and about, even in her wheelchair. Terry said: “I used to take Wednesdays off to take her out”, and he always used to take her to the music festival on Whitestrand with her grandchildren, who she “adored”.

You can find out more about Motor Neurone Disease, and donate if you would like to, by visiting the MND Association website: www.mndassociation.org