Local man, Sam Perkins has been awarded for his Outstanding Commitment at the 2024 GoCardless JustGiving Awards, after raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for his charity, Stand Against MND.
Formerly a keen Ironman triathlete, Sam was diagnosed with MND in 2019 after suffering shortness of breath and being admitted to hospital with pneumonia because he was unable to clear fluid from lungs.
The aggressive nature of the disease meant Sam’s condition quickly deteriorated and left him relying on a ventilator to breathe. He lost all movement in the months that followed.
Despite this, Sam never lost his zest for life and with a strong family and support network behind him, he launched his charity Stand Against MND in 2020, to raise funds into finding a cure. To date the charity has raised more than £260,000.
Last July, a flagship event took place where Sam, with the help of his supporters was pushed around the final leg of the Outlaw Triathlon in Nottingham.
With Sam’s former team-mate Steph, who is part of the support team in London, swimming 1.2 miles and stepfather Nick cycling 56 miles, a cast of willing pushers including former players of Sam’s beloved Nottingham Forest helped Sam complete an emotional 13.1 miles in a specially adapted racing chair.
Sam was one of eight winners announced at the ceremony at the Roundhouse in London, with his award presented to him by ITV’s Loose Women presenter Sunetra Sarker.
Overall, there were more than 18,000 public nominations this year followed by over 50,000 votes between all award finalists.
Sam said: “I am absolutely over the moon to have won this award. It’s fantastic recognition not just for myself but for the whole MND Community. Raising and keeping awareness high is a constant challenge, and this accolade can only help us to do that. I’m so grateful to everyone who voted, and of course my incredible supportive team of family, friends and supporters, without whom I would not be able to do what I do – it is genuinely a huge team effort.”
Between the 21 finalists and Special Recognition Award winner at this year’s GoCardless JustGiving Awards over £16 million has been raised for good causes.
The star-studded event was hosted by British broadcaster Rylan Clark and attended by celebrities including ITV’s Charlotte Hawkins, Celebrity Big Brother and Netflix’s Bradley Riches, Love Island’s Faye Winter and former Olympian Fatima Whitbread.
Host Rylan said: “It was incredible to host last night’s GoCardless JustGiving awards to celebrate the amazing work the winners and finalists have done this year to raise money for causes close to their hearts. They should all be really proud of themselves!”
The GoCardless JustGiving Awards offer a chance for thousands of fundraisers to be in with the chance to have their hard work recognised. To find out more about all eight winners, visit https://www.justgiving.com/hub/happening-now/justgiving-awards