A charity collection in honour of former Norwich City footballer Duncan Forbes raised £6,500 to boost funds for Alzheimer's Research UK, thanks to generous football fans.

The ex-Canaries skipper, 72, has Alzheimer's disease and moved into a care home last summer. The Carrow Road game against Stoke on Saturday was declared 'Duncan's Day' to raise money for the charity's goal of defeating Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Fans heading to the game dug deep to donate money into collection buckets - raising enough to pay for 325 hours of world class research into the disease.

A father-of-two and grandfather of six, Edinburgh-born Mr Forbes was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2007, aged 65.

His wife Janette cared for him at home until last August when his needs became too great for her to manage.

The central defender's career with the Canaries spanned 33 years, in which he made 357 appearances, netting 12 goals. He went on to be chief scout for the club.

The club also produced a special programme, the profits of which will go towards funding Mr Forbes' day to day care.

Club spokesman Joe Ferrari said: 'Duncan Forbes is a Norwich City legend who has given over three decades of dedicated service to the Canaries on and off the pitch.

'He has always been such a larger than life character and to hear of the battle against Alzheimer's that he and his family are going through now is very sad for everyone connected with the club.

'We were delighted to hold 'Duncan's Day' on Saturday and it is fantastic to know that the money raised at the charity collection will help the Forbes' family's chosen charity, Alzheimer's Research UK, with its ongoing work to find the preventions and new treatments so desperately needed to beat this debilitating disease.

'Proceeds from sales of our match day programme will also help ensure Duncan continues to receive the care he needs – we are still counting the money but will announce this in the near future.'

Duncan's wife Janette said: 'Duncan's diagnosis of Alzheimer's has had a huge impact on us as a family – it's terribly sad seeing him slowly disappear in front of our eyes.

'I'm very touched by the thoughtfulness and generosity of Norwich City Football Club and everyone who attended the match - their contribution towards Duncan's care is greatly appreciated. And I know the £6,500 also raised through the charity collection will make a big difference to Alzheimer's Research UK's vital work.

'There was a time when Duncan could memorise the results of every English football league match after looking at them just once. But now he doesn't always recognise his own sons. I would dearly love to see new treatments found to give hope to other people like Duncan and their families. It's so good to know that Alzheimer's Research UK is working hard to achieve this.'

Jodie Vaughan, community fundraising manager at Alzheimer's Research UK, added: 'Raising £6,500 is a brilliant result! We are so grateful to Norwich City Football Club and everyone who attended the match and gave a donation.

'This is enough to pay for 325 hours of world-class research, bringing us closer to finding ways to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

'There are hundreds of thousands of people across the UK living with dementia today, including over 12,000 people in Norfolk. 'Dementia poses one of the greatest threats to public health yet funding for research still lags far behind other serious diseases. We rely on public donations to fund our crucial work.'

Further information about Alzheimer's Research UK is available by calling 0300 111 5555 or online at www.alzheimersresearchuk.org