Family of Sunderland dad Michael Wilson who died hours after suspected Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis release funeral details

More than £1,000 was donated by kindhearted family, friends and strangers to help support the 53-year-old dad’s family and help pay for a fitting send-off.

His grieving son, Anthony Potter, has paid tribute to his ‘caring’ father following his sudden death just hours after he was rushed into hospital on Saturday, February 1.

The devoted son says his father had slowly began losing weight and was struggling to walk but wouldn’t go to the doctors over fears he would be told he had an incurable disease.

But after his condition worsened, Anthony rushed him into hospital where he died just hours later as doctors to Anthony his father has suspected Motor Neurone Disease – an incurable condition that affects the brain and nerves.

Michael’s funeral will take place on Thursday, February 20, at 3pm at Sunderland Crematorium for family and friends before meeting at Humbledon & Plains Farm Club.

Family flowers only and donations at the funeral can be made to a Motor Neurone Disease charity.

Following his sudden passing friends and family, as well as strangers, rallied in support of Michael’s grieving family and more than £1,000 was donated to a Go Fund Me page set up to help give the former Villa Drinks worker a fitting send off.

The funds donated will help pay for his funeral and help out Anthony, 20, and Michael’s mum 84-year-old Irene Wilson, who Michael was the sole carer for.

In tribute to his father Anthony, of Farringdon, said: “He was a quiet bloke. He kept himself to himself but he was a really caring person.

“He didn’t really ask for much from anyone and he always tried to do everything himself.

“We were asking him to go to the hospital. He was too scared to get told something like that. He use to say “I hope they don’t tell me I’ve got a horrible disease – it’s almost like he knew.”