A WELCOMING Coventry charity which supports people living with muscle wasting conditions has received national recognition.
Ruth Hereford, chair of the city’s Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre, received the Richard Attenborough Award for Outstanding Achievement at the Muscular Dystrophy UK Stronger Together Awards.
She was recognised for her commitment to supporting people living with muscular dystrophy and helping to grow specialist support services through the charity.
Following the award, renowned theatre director Michael Attenborough visited the centre with his wife Karen to meet staff and service users, and learn more about the specialist therapies and wellbeing support provided by the charity.
Michael, son of actress Sheila Sim and actor-director Richard Attenborough and nephew of broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough, presented Ruth with the award during the national ceremony.
During their visit, Michael and Karen observed physiotherapy and osteopathy sessions, learned about the charity’s aquatic exercise classes and hand therapy sessions, and spoke with service users about the impact ongoing support has on their daily lives.
Ruth Hereford said: “To receive the award from Michael Attenborough was an incredible honour, and it was very special to then welcome Michael and Karen to the Centre and show them our work.
“It means so much to see the impact the centre has on people’s lives recognised in this way. What began as one day per week of therapy with one physiotherapist has grown into specialist support across six Midlands sites, helping hundreds of people living with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions.”
Muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions are progressive muscle wasting conditions which can affect mobility, breathing, heart function and independence. Many people rely on ongoing specialist support to help maintain strength, mobility and quality of life.
Michael Attenborough said: “Our visit was an even more remarkable eye opener than I had anticipated. It was both shocking and inspiring to see first-hand the impact the centre has on people’s lives and the extraordinary sense of community that has been created here.
“What struck me most during the visit was hearing several people describe the centre as ‘like coming home’. That says so much about the welcome, support and belonging the team have built for people living with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions.
“It is entirely fitting that Ruth Hereford has received an award in my father’s name. The determination and commitment behind the centre are truly remarkable.”
The visit follows a period of growing recognition for the charity, which recently won Not-for-profit Champion of the Year at the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Awards.
The centre’s CEO Zoe Richardson said: “It has been an incredible year for the charity, with recognition both nationally and locally, but what matters most is ensuring people living with muscular dystrophy can access the ongoing specialist support they need.
“Visits like this help shine a light on the importance of specialist therapies and the difference they can make to people’s independence, wellbeing and quality of life.”
The Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre supports adults living with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions through specialist therapies, exercise, wellbeing support and community connection.
Visit mdsupportcentre.org for more information.
