Carl Tilson, a wrestling fan charity campaigner who helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for several good causes has died.
Tributes from wrestling and football fans alike have poured in for Carl, who suffered from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (MDD), a muscle wasting disease.
A huge professional wrestling and Manchester City fan, he passed away in hospital on Wednesday night at the age of 28. Carl was often seen at British wrestling shows and live Q&As, with WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross once publicly praising him for his work and his bravery at his show.
Wrestling fans, charities and even Manchester City FC have all paid tribute to Carl’s work campaigning for young disabled people’s rights.
He was crowned “Mancunian of the Year” in 2010 after raising more than £100,000 for Action Duchenne and also carried the Olympic Torch in Manchester in 2012 ahead of the London Olympic Games.
Carl was also the grandson of Fred Tilson Snr, who scored the winning goal for Manchester City in their FA Cup final win over Portsmouth way back in 1934.
A statement from Manchester City FC reads: “Everyone here at Manchester City FC would like to send condolences to the friends and family of Carl Tilson following news of his passing”
Nic Bungay from Muscular Dystrophy UK said: “Carl was a remarkable young man who will be hugely missed by his friends and family.”
The Comedy Store, Manchester, where Carl attended many wrestling Q&A’s said: “He was a real legend. God bless you, Carl”
His passion for wrestling showed until the very end, with his final tweets on his Twitter account referring to TNA Impact Wrestling.
For more information about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, or to make a donation in Carl’s memory, please visit http://www.musculardystrophyuk.org/.