The family of Norwich City legend Duncan Forbes have expressed their thanks to the football club and its fans for raising thousands of pounds to help pay for his care and supporting a dementia charity.

Officials from the Canaries staged Duncan's Day last month to support their ex-captain, who served more than 30 years as a player and member of staff, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease seven years ago.

His wife, Janette, said Mr Forbes would have been moved by the club's support for her husband at their Premier League home game against Stoke on March 8.

Fans dug deep in their pockets to donate £6,500 to Alzheimer's Research UK during a collection on the day and a further £26,870 was raised for Mr Forbes' care, who has been living in a care home since last August.

The money was raised through sales of a special match programme replicating the Canaries' programmes from the historic 1972/73 campaign and showed Mr Forbes holding aloft the Second Division trophy. Funds were also raised though an online donation site and the auctioning off of 'Forbes 5' shirts, which were worn by players before the match.

Mrs Forbes said: 'On behalf of myself and family I'd like to thank everyone at Norwich City Football Club for organising Duncan's Day. I'd like to thank the fans for their kind support, not just in buying the programmes, t-shirts and donating money, but by the way they received us, Duncan's family at the Stoke match.'

'It was really lovely and Duncan would have been so moved and so happy. He has settled well in his care home and thanks to the generosity of the fans, he should be able to stay there when his own savings run out.'

The 72-year-old, who retired from Norwich City 12 years ago, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2007.

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.

Former Norwich City legends Martin Peters, Dave Stringer, and Ken Brown, joined Mr Forbes' family for Duncan's Day.

Are you raising money for Alzheimer's research? Email adam.gretton@archant.co.uk