Ruth was recognised for her commitment to supporting people living with muscular dystrophy and helping grow specialist support services through the charity.
During the visit, Michael and his wife Karen met staff and service users and learned more about the specialist therapies and wellbeing support provided by the charity.
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 and Karen observed physiotherapy and osteopathy sessions, learned about the charity’s aquatic exercise classes and hand therapy sessions, and spoke directly with service users about the impact ongoing support has on their daily lives.
During the visit, Michael reflected on the strong sense of community at the centre after hearing several service users describe attending sessions as “like coming home”.
Michael Attenborough, 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 celebrating outstanding contributions within the muscle wasting community.
Ruth Hereford said: “To receive the Richard Attenborough Award for Outstanding Achievement 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 firsthand.
“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.”
Michael Attenborough said: “Our visit was an even more remarkable eye opener than I had anticipated. It was both shocking and inspiring to see firsthand 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 Ruth, Zoe and 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.
Zoe Richardson, CEO of the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre, 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.
For more information, visit mdsupportcentre.org.
