ONE of three triplets who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease has passed away, aged 47.

Amanda Lindesay from King's Acre in Hereford died on November 15- just 14 months after she was diagnosed with the terminal illness.

Her identical triplet sister, Emma Richards-Ward, died in 2012 from the disease, as did her mum, Joan Richards last July, aged 75.

Her other identical sister, Vanessa Pritchard, who lives in Australia, was diagnosed in February.

Amanda’s husband, Will Lindesay, said: "She fought the disease with dignity but it didn't define who she was.

"She was a very dignified, strong, caring, fun-loving friend, mother and wife."

Amanda did much to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and in April Will ran the London Marathon for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA). Together with donations from friends and family he raised £30,000.

Amanda had been with Will, 41, for 20 years, and they married in 2010. She leaves behind a 23-year-old daughter called Lollie and 13-year-old twin boys called Benjamin and Daniel.

Will said: "She loved spending time with family and friends. She had good values and morals and she was a beautiful woman."

She still saw visitors up until late in the summer and since then it has been a very private time with Will and the children.

Will said: "It was very much an open house with friends from all over the country, and the world actually, coming to see us. We had some great time with so many people."

Amanda also had an older brother called Martin.

Will added: "I would like to thank everyone that has supported her during the illness, particularly St Michael's Hospice, Wye Valley Trust, Motor Neurone Disease Association and also Wargrave House.

"All have played key roles in supporting Mandie and the whole family."

A celebration of Amanda's life will be held on Friday, November 25 at 12.30pm at St Michael's Church in Breinton- the family request that people wear colourful attire, no black please, followed by a gathering at the village hall. If people would like to give donations, they will be split equally between MNDA, St Michael's Hospice and St Michael's Church in Breinton.

MND progressively damages parts of the nervous system and kills six people every day in the UK.

Sufferers have a life expectancy of between two and five years. The NHS say in about five per cent of cases there is a family history.

If you would like to find out more about MND go to www.mndassociation.org.

There are fundraisers online for MNDA by Amanda's family and friends. Go to www.justgiving.com and search for Amanda Lindesay.