CEO and founder of Herts-based Muscular Dystrophy charity wins ‘Unsung Hero’ award at the Herts Mercury and Observer Community awards
Family charity, the Muscle Help Foundation is delighted to announce that its CEO and founder, Michael McGrath, won the ‘Unsung Hero’ award at the annual Herts Mercury and Observer Community awards, which took place last week at the beautiful Hanbury Manor in Ware.
The awards honoured winners in the Hertfordshire region, committed to making a difference, across seven different categories, from ‘Unsung Hero’ to ‘Volunteer of the Year’ and ‘Young Achiever of the Year’.
Buntingford resident Michael McGrath, received the ‘Unsung Hero’ award for his tireless work with the Muscle Help Foundation, which delivers unforgettable, personalised experiences – called ‘Muscle Dreams’ – for children and young people across the UK who suffer with Muscular Dystrophy and allied neuromuscular conditions.
Michael, who was himself diagnosed with the muscle wasting disease at the age of 18 and is currently the first and only disabled person to have reached both the North and South Poles, was unable to attend the evening as he is currently enjoying a birthday cruise around the Canary Islands. His daughter Gemma (pictured below with the trophy) took to the stage to collect the award on his behalf.
Gemma was delighted to accept the award for her father and said: “I am so proud that all of his hard work and devotion to the charity and its many beneficiaries over the years has been recognised and acknowledged in this way. He gives everything to the charity, often working long hours and pursuing every possible contact to try and make the charity’s beneficiaries’ dreams come true, as well as running the charity’s annual ‘Muscle Dreams’ driving, sailing and flying programmes. This definitely makes it all worthwhile!”