Awards and Recognition

The Muscle Help Foundation is a small, multi award-winning, family-centred charity delivering its transformational Muscle Dream services for vulnerable children, young people and young adults (8-28yrs) living with muscular dystrophy across the UK.

As a specialist, niche charity, awards and recognition are invaluable. Beyond celebrating the hard work and tireless dedication of the charity’s team and volunteers, awards and honours help amplify awareness of the charity’s mission, reaching new supporters and partners who can help further its cause.

Recognition also provides essential credibility, reassuring stakeholders and funders of the charity’s impactful work and responsible stewardship of resources. For families affected by muscular dystrophy, these accolades affirm the charity’s reliability and effectiveness in offering real support and advocacy, making its services a trusted lifeline in their journeys.

2024

  • Muscle Help Foundation CEO Michael McGrath received his Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in June from Anne, Princess Royal at Windsor Castle in recognition for Charitable Services to People with Muscular Dystrophy (MD)

2023

  • Muscle Help Foundation CEO Michael McGrath’s MBE award announced in the King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List, the first Honours List since the King’s Coronation, for Charitable Services to People with Muscular Dystrophy (MD)

2019

  • Power 100 – Michael McGrath named one of Britain’s most influential disabled people
  • Michael McGrath appointed to represent the Crown as a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) in Hertfordshire, a voluntary role
  • Muscle Help Foundation’s CEO Michael McGrath presented with ‘The Big Heart Award‘ by The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE at the Heart (Radio) Hertfordshire 2019 Hero Awards

2018

  • Power 100 – Michael McGrath named one of Britain’s most influential disabled people
  • Muscle Help Foundation CEO Michael McGrath is awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire in recognition of his motivational and inspirational work for persons with disability

2017

  • Power 100 – Michael McGrath named one of Britain’s most influential disabled people

2016

2015

  • Muscle Help Foundation’s CEO Michael McGrath wins ‘Unsung Hero’ award at the Hertfordshire, Mercury & Observer Community Awards 2015, recognising people in Hertfordshire ‘committed to making a difference‘

2013

  • Muscle Help Foundation charity wins ‘Social Enterprise of the Year’ at prestigious 2013 Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards Ceremony

2012

  • Muscle Help Foundation CEO Michael McGrath nominated via Sainsbury’s national campaign and selected as a Paralympic Torchbearer, proudly carrying the flame (representing the charity’s beneficiaries and their families across the UK) on one of its final legs to the London 2012 Olympic Stadium

2005

  • Muscle Help Foundation CEO Michael McGrath receives the Business Traveller of the Year Award, presented to him by BBC News Correspondent Kate Adie in Dubai, UAE

2004

  • pole2pole expedition (phase II) – South Pole, Antarctica (90 degrees South) reached in January, raised awareness and funds for muscular dsytrophy. This same year, Michael is recognised by the Queen for his ‘contribution to national life’ at Buckingham Palace. He is included in the 2004 Christmas Day broadcast to the nation by Her Majesty reinforcing diversity as a strength

2002

  • pole2pole expedition (phase I) – North Pole, Arctic (90 degrees North) reached in April, was the launch pad for what is known today as the Muscle Help Foundation charity. Money was raised for muscular dystrophy and awareness of the condition was generated. The NorthStar Programme was born; it got its name after Michael McGrath who has muscular dystrophy reached 90 degrees North, having joined the Christopher Cope North Pole Expedition. At that time, Michael was a trustee of Muscular Dystrophy Campaign (MDC), known today as Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK).

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

ACCEPT MORE INFO