INCONSOLABLE relatives and friends bid a final farewell to Paul Wilkinson yesterday – a man who never gave up hope of beating the degenerative illness that finally claimed his life.

The 68-year-old from Moredon passed away on September 5 following a long battle with motor neurone disease.

But his determination to lead an extraordinary life was never hampered by the condition, or his resultant lack of mobility, as the father-of-four went on to conquer Swindon’s steepest hills and complete a backward marathon – all from his wheelchair.

Her ‘Pip’s’ resilience, stubbornness and unique outlook on life were some of his most admired qualities, his granddaughter Charlene recalled in front of the scores of friends and family gathered at Kingsdown Crematorium yesterday afternoon.

“After 18 months of uncertainty Pip was diagnosed with motor neurone disease but he remained as positive as ever,” she said. “Pip was the most selfless and generous man I’ve ever known.

“Although a piece of our hearts has gone with him, a piece of him will live in our hearts.

“He carried the sunshine with him. He was the perfect and glowing example of love and kindness.

“Pip, we know we have to let go, but there is not a day we won’t think about you. You will always be in our hearts and we won’t really be apart.”

She also recalled his somewhat questionable taste in food, which saw him serve mash potatoes with a side of spaghetti to his grandchildren on more than one occasion.

MND leads to weakness and wasted muscles and affects speech, mobility, breathing and swallowing.

Paul was diagnosed with the condition in 2003 and given between three and five years to live.

But through sheer strength of mind, his family believe, he went on to survive ten years.

The illness and threat of paralysis inspired the wheelchair-bound toolmaker to embark on a series of challenges to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

In 2011, the grandfather-of-three hired a Dial a Ride van for the day to take him from hill to hill as he climbed the town’s five highest peaks.

Last year, he tackled a backwards marathon at the County Ground and overall collected more than £30,000 for the MND Association and Prospect Hospice.

He was also awarded a Pride of Swindon Award.

In a candid poem read out on her behalf at the ceremony, his daughter Sharon addressed her father one last time.

“I miss you dad,” she said. “You simply were the best. You were my hero, my best friend and I don’t know how my heart will ever mend. You were my world and you not being here makes me mad. I feel broken and so sad. But I know you will always be my dad.”

Paul leaves four children – John, 50, Sharon, 43, Amber, 23, Carlene, 20; and three grandchildren – Charlene, 26, Stephanie, 23 and Steven, 23.