This #MDCember (see what we did there?!) we’d like to celebrate just some of the past year’s fantastic achievements. We really couldn’t do our vital work without you, our supporters, and each day will reveal another Muscular Dystrophy Campaign star. Thank you for your support, now and in the future. Wishing you all the very best this Christmas and New Year from everyone at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.
Olympic torchbearers
We were bursting with pride when a host of inspiring and dedicated Muscular Dystrophy Campaign supporters, campaigners and fundraisers were selected as Olympic torchbearers for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics:
Michaela Hollywood, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, carried the torch through Dromore in Northern Ireland. Michaela is a dedicated campaigner and a founder member of Trailblazers young campaigners network, which is now over 400-strong.
Alex Jordan, a 17- year- old science student who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, carried the Torch through Worcester. Alex, a wheelchair user, was nominated by family friend Pyers Symon, himself a respected disability advisor and mentor, for his support and mentoring of other disabled teenagers and more latterly his involvement in the Acorns Ambassadors team.
Fifteen- year-old Jack Franklin, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, carried the flame through Hull. Jack became involved in fundraising after the charity provided him with a grant to buy his wheelchair.
Carl Tilson carried the flame through Cheetham Hill en route to Manchester. Carl, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was five years old, is a Trailblazers campaigner, fighting for better disabled access to University, housing and leisure facilities. He has also helped to raise over £100,000 to fund research.
Zakia Begum carried the flame through Walsall. She has recently starred in a short film "What You Lookin At!" which highlights what it is like living with a physical impairment, and has helped to develop a Disability Awareness Campaign for local schools and colleges.
Laura Bizzey, who has minicore myopathy, carried the flame through Ufford. Laura is a truly exceptional fundraiser and has raised over £26,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.
Helen Hynd was nominated to carry the Paralympic Torch for inspiring sons Ollie and Sam to become world-class swimmers - and for years of 5am starts to get them to the pool! Helen's support certainly paid off, with Trailblazers ambassador Ollie bringing home a full set of Paralympic gold, silver and bronze and big brother Sam bagging a bronze.
Khurm Arshad, whose teenage brother, Auzair, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, carried the Paralympic Torch through London. Over the last four years Khurm has been campaigning for investment in life-saving specialist care for people with muscle- wasting conditions and leads a 24-strong group of fundraisers in the Bath and Bristol area who have raised £34,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign in just two years.
