Community Support Champion
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.
Volunteer of the Year
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.
Fundraiser of the Year
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.
Young Fundraiser
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.
Neuromuscular Specialist Recognition
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.
Partnership of the Year
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.
Campaigner of the Year
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.
Early Career Scientist of the Year
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.
Alexander and Valerie Patrick Award for Carer of the Year
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.
Peter and Nancy Andrews Award for Community Achievement
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.
Richard Attenborough Award for Outstanding Achievement (presented by Michael Attenborough CBE)
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.