Evandale couple Marty and Michelle Roberts recognised with Pride of Australia Medal for fundraising work through Cycle for Sam charity

WHEN Michelle and Marty Roberts think about their son Sam, they remember the happy times they shared together and the lasting legacy he left.

Evandale couple Marty and Michelle Roberts have won a Pride of Australia Medal.

WHEN Michelle and Marty Roberts think about their son Sam, they remember the happy times they shared together and the lasting legacy he left.

The Evandale couple founded the Sam Roberts Family Fund in memory of their four-year-old son who died in 2005 after battling a rare neurological disease.

The fund has since raised more than $400,000 for terminally ill children and their families.

The Roberts' fundraising efforts were last week recognised when they were named Pride of Australia medal winners in the Care and Compassion category.

Mrs Roberts said she and Marty were humbled to win.

"It's very emotional and I know Sam would be very proud," she said. "Fifty families in SA have a child diagnosed with a terminal illness every year so it means a lot to be able to help all those families and raise awareness."

Sam was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick disease type C, a rare neurological degenerative disease with no cure. "We were blessed with such a beautiful boy so we think about all the happy times we shared as a family and how lucky we were to have that time together," Mrs Roberts said.

Every two years, the charity hosts Cycle4Sam - a fundraising bike ride where more than a dozen cyclists ride thousands of kilometres across some of Australia's most challenging terrain. Funds raised have gone towards The Sam Roberts Family Care Unit at the Women's and Children's Hospital.