Last night, Monday 20 April, our Stronger Together Awards took place at Salesforce Tower in London, in association with Airnow Technology.
The ceremony was hosted by our President, Gabby Logan OBE and the 11 awards recognised a range of remarkable achievements over the last 12 months – celebrating volunteering, fundraising, caring, campaigning, community support, and research.
Winner: Joe Logue, who lives with Becker muscular dystrophy and channels his experience into everything he does. Joe has inspired many people in the community through the content he shares on his website ‘Dystrophy Dad’ and travels up and down the country in his role as community manager at Euan’s Guide, reviewing accessibility at key transport hubs and popular destinations.
Highly Commended: Priyaneet Kainth for her work helping to raise awareness and expanding the South Asian Neuromuscular Community Group.
Winner: Andrew Norman, for consistently going above and beyond to support our events. Andrew has travelled across the UK while volunteering for us, from Exmoor to Newcastle, Snowdonia to the Lake District, often leading other groups of volunteers and raising funds through his own efforts. His reliability and enthusiasm make him an outstanding contributor to the charity.
Highly Commended: Debbie Collett for her valuable contribution as a peer support volunteer.
Winner: Clair Harris, who took on ‘The 13’ swim challenge last summer: swimming 71km across all 13 accessible lakes in the Lake District and cycling 185km between them, becoming the first woman and first non-wetsuit swimmer to officially finish the challenge. Inspired by her friend Nausheen, who lives with GNE myopathy, Clair raised over £6,000.
Highly Commended: Colin Morgan for his unique Jumbo Jet Lift challenge.
Winner: Jacob Halling, 14, has organised three fundraising events with a unique twist, using his membership of the Magic Circle to create personalised card magic videos for people who sponsor him.
Winner: Rachel Salmon, a Neuromuscular Nurse Specialist who has provided exceptional care and support to both paediatric and adult patients in Wales for over 15 years. As well as providing tailored care and guidance, Rachel runs support groups for parents and patients with neuromuscular conditions providing a safe space for people to share and feel heard.
Highly Commended: Lisa Cutsey for her work supporting people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Winner: Siren Design have been a longstanding partner, consistently delivering impactful creative materials, entirely pro bono, for the Microscope Ball – a flagship event in our fundraising calendar. Their creativity and commitment ensure that every project is executed to the highest standard, making a significant impact on the success of events.
Highly Commended: Bidwells for their ongoing support as headline sponsor of the Town and Gown 10k series, as well as staff volunteering and fundraising.
Winner: Konstantina Nouka, a barrister and one of our first wheelchair participants in the London Marathon. Konstantina gives her time and voice generously, advocating for our community and raising awareness. She lives with Ullrich muscular dystrophy and is a powerful advocate and campaigner, sharing her experiences, driven by a desire to change things for others.
Winner: Gemma Fisher, a DPhil Student and Paediatric Neuromuscular Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Oxford who has been making an outstanding contribution working on a Natural History Study for people living with nemaline myopathy.
Highly Commended: Dr Philipp Heher for his commitment to finding new treatments for FSHD.
Winner: Lorna Common, a mother who has dedicated years to supporting her son Edward, who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, in pursuing his passion for wheelchair football, enabling him to represent England, all while running a farm and giving back generously to the wider charity community.
Highly Commended: Bradley Williams for being a dedicated and compassionate carer for three family members living with Ullrich muscular dystrophy.
Winner: Tahira Mathur for using her lived experience to raise awareness of GNE myopathy, other muscle wasting conditions, and parenting with a disability, through videos and speaking with researchers and the wider community. She is also a member of our Lay Research Panel, helping to assess research grant applications.
Highly Commended: Tommy Lloyd for his passion about ensuring young SEN children have a genuine voice.
Winner: Ruth Hereford, who has been at the centre of leadership for the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre in Coventry for over a decade. She was at the forefront of the changes when the centre adapted to meet the needs of more individuals and is passionate about ensuring that everyone living with a muscle wasting condition has access to the support they need and a place to share their story and voice.
“It was an honour to host the Stronger Together Awards and celebrate the outstanding achievements of people in the muscle wasting community.
“The charity’s annual awards are a chance to highlight some of the incredible work that goes on, often behind the scenes, from people campaigning and taking on incredible fundraising challenges to individuals caring for and supporting others. And of course, the inspiring scientists and neuromuscular specialists who are helping people in our community. All 11 awards were presented to deserving winners and it was a privilege to hear their stories, as well as those who were shortlisted. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supports Muscular Dystrophy UK. Together, we can make a real difference and change the future of muscle wasting conditions.”
“Congratulations to all our winners and nominees. It’s always a privilege to meet people who go above and beyond to make a difference, and great to be able to recognise them in this way. I’d like to say a special thank you to our President Gabby Logan for presenting the awards, our awards sponsor Airnow Technology, and to the judging panel: Chloe Docker, Sheila Hawkins, Martin Hywood, Dr Ali Kay, and Sue Taylor.
“Our work depends on the generosity and commitment of our community, and I genuinely believe we are stronger when we work together. These awards only tell part of the story as people across the UK are doing things every day to help change the future of muscle wasting conditions. From care, support and research to campaigning, volunteering and fundraising, you all make a difference. Thank you.”
