A Franklin County lady is collecting money for a veteran who is suffering multiple sclerosis

Franklin County, Virginia – A woman in Franklin County is seeking the community’s help to support a veteran and his young daughter after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis just before Christmas.

Alex Perdue is a U.S. Army veteran from Franklin County. It’s been a difficult last year for him and his seven-year-old daughter. Perdue’s wife Melissa passed away from breast cancer in April, and now he is undergoing aggressive treatment for MS.

“He’s raising his seven-year-old daughter, sweet little Lexi, on his own with help from family and friends. Life has just gotten a little rough,” said Shannon Riley, a close friend of Perdue. “It’s hard for him to stay strong. I know he’s fighting like heck to be as strong as he can, but it’s challenging some days. He’s just trying to be the best dad he can be to sweet Lexi.”

Shannon Riley is one of Perdue’s best friends and says he’s like a brother to her.

“He is amazing, he’s goofy, he’s funny as heck, and just a humble really good guy. He’d do anything for his close family. Lexi and Melissa both were his entire world,” she said.

Riley previously held a Krispy Kreme fundraiser for Perdue. Now she has started a GoFundMe account to try to raise money to help support Perdue and his daughter while he is out of work and awaiting disability insurance money, as well as dealing with medical expenses.

“He is one of the most humble, genuine people I think I’ve ever met in my life. He’s not someone that will ever ask for help; nor does he expect it,” said Riley. “I’m just hoping that together everybody can pull together what they’re able to do. If you’re not able to assist, can you just share his information to get his name out there, I just want to take some burden off of him during this difficult time.”

Anyone interested in donating to support Perdue and his daughter can find the GoFundMe account here.