Newcastle and England legend Alan Shearer has sent a heartfelt video message to a Sheppey man who has Motor Neurone Disease.

Nigel Prettyjohns, of Holmside Avenue, Halfway, was diagnosed with the condition in November 2013.

It affects one in 50,000 people and is a progressive disease that attacks nerves in the brain and spinal chord and then starts to shut down the muscles in the body.

VIDEO: Alan Shearer sends message of support to Islander Nigel Prettyjohns

The illness started in Nigel’s right foot and progressed to both legs and he is now dependent on a wheelchair.

Upon hearing the news about the 56-year-old’s illness, Shearer sent the father-of-two a special video message.

In the clip, the former striker said he wanted to wish Nigel well in the future and thanked him for all his support for him and for Newcastle United.

Speaking about the message, Nigel said he was overwhelmed when he watched it for the first time.

“My friend, Andy Spratling, contacted Shearer on Instagram a while back and told him about my illness and asked him to send a message, but never in a million years did I expect to get one,” he said.

“I’ve been a Newcastle supporter for most of my life and I was just overwhelmed when I saw the video. I was quite emotional, even.

“Shearer is a Newcastle legend and for me to have actually got a personal message from him, I just can’t believe it.”

What made the video message extra special, Nigel said, was that it arrived yesterday, the day before his birthday today.

“It came as an early birthday present for me!” he said.

“To celebrate, I went to The Red Lion in Blue Town and watched the Newcastle United game against Aston Villa and Newcastle won, which was great and just added to it all.

“Despite everything, this illness hasn’t stopped me enjoying life and I’m sure I’ll make another visit up to Newcastle soon.”

He added: “I’d like to say a massive thanks to Andy for what he did. It was a once in a lifetime thing for me to get that video and I’ll never forget it.”