About

Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) is a UK

charity Charity may refer to: Common meanings * Charitable organization or charity, a non-profit organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being of persons * Charity (practice), the practice of being benevolent, giving and sha ...

focusing on

muscular dystrophy Muscular dystrophies (MD) are a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of rare neuromuscular diseases that cause progressive weakness and breakdown of skeletal muscles over time. The disorders differ as to which muscles are primarily affe ...

and related conditions. It works on behalf of those with over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions. For over 60 years, Muscular Dystrophy UK has been building a community of individuals living with muscle wasting or weakening conditions, families and carers, scientists, health care professionals, supporters, volunteers, and donors. Making advances that would have been unthinkable just ten years ago.

History

The charity was founded in 1959 (then known as the Muscular Dystrophy Group and later as the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign) by Lord Walton of Detchant, to help families and children living with muscular dystrophy, and to raise money to fund research to find the causes of and cures for muscular dystrophy. Since then, diagnosis of the different forms of muscular dystrophy and related muscle conditions has improved hugely and the charity now provides support for more than 60 different muscle-wasting conditions, as well as funding many key research developments.

High Profile Supporters

Gabby Logan Gabrielle Nicole Logan (''née'' Yorath; born 24 April 1973) is a Welsh television and radio presenter, and a former rhythmic gymnast who represented Wales and Great Britain. She hosted '' Final Score'' for BBC Sport from 2009 until 2013. She h ...

became President of the charity in 2018, taking over from

Sue Barker Susan Barker (born 19 April 1956) is a British former television presenter and professional tennis player. During her playing career, Barker won 15 WTA Tour-level singles titles, including a major at the 1976 French Open. She reached a career- ...

who had held the role since 2004. Gabby is an active supporter, attending many charity events including the charity's annual national conferences and the celebrity sports quiz at

Lord's Cricket Ground Lord's Cricket Ground, commonly known as Lord's, is a cricket List of Test cricket grounds, venue in St John's Wood, Westminster. Named after its founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and is the home of Middlesex C ...

. In 2024 she took on th
London Landmarks Half Marathon
for the charity raising over £5,000

Lord Attenborough Richard Samuel Attenborough, Baron Attenborough (; 29 August 192324 August 2014) was an English actor, film director, and producer. Attenborough was the president of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and the British Academy of Film and ...

served as the charity's President for 30 years, until 2002, when he became an Honorary Life President. Lord Attenborough remained an inspirational supporter of the charity and the Richard Attenborough Fellowship Fund has been established to honour his commitment to world-class research.

Sir Alex Ferguson Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson (born 31 December 1941) is a Scottish former professional football manager and player, best known for managing Manchester United from 1986 to 2013. He is widely regarded as the greatest manager of all time and ...

is a long-standing Vice President of the charity having been introduced to MDUK by a friend whose son was affected by the condition. He has been involved in fundraising and events for over ten years.

Prince Philip Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, later Philip Mountbatten; 10 June 19219 April 2021), was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. As such, he was the consort of the British monarch from h ...

became Patron of the charity in 1966. Introduced to the charity by

, he remained as Royal Patron until his sad passing in April 2021.

Fundraising

The majority of the charity's work is funded by voluntary activity often carried about by those that are affected by

. Key events for the charity are th
Microscope Ball
which will be in its 40th year in 2024, an event attend by more than 700 members of the commercial property industry; Peddle, Paddle Peak – the charity's own off-road challenge event and the Town and Gown 10K series which takes place in

Oxford Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town. The city is home to the University of Oxford, the List of oldest universities in continuou ...

and

Cambridge Cambridge ( ) is a List of cities in the United Kingdom, city and non-metropolitan district in the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It is the county town of Cambridgeshire and is located on the River Cam, north of London. As of the 2021 Unit ...

each year. In 2024 Muscular Dystrophy UK won funding fro
Project Giving Back
to have a garden at the

RHS Chelsea Flower Show The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, formally known as the Great Spring Show,Phil Clayton, ''The Great Temple Show'' in ''The Garden'' 2008, p.452, The Royal Horticultural Society is a garden show held for five days in May by the Royal Horticultural So ...

. The garden at RHS Chelsea Flower show was designed by award winning designer
Ula Maria
and based on the theme of Shirin-yoku the Japanese practice of

Forest Bathing ''Forest Bathing'' is the seventh studio album by A Hawk and a Hacksaw. It was released April 13, 2018. Prior to its release, the song "A Broken Road Lined With Poplar Trees" premiered on Under the Radar's website. Album name and concept Th ...

. This prestigious event marks a huge moment in the charity's history.

References

External links

* Health charities in the United Kingdom Health in the London Borough of Southwark Muscular dystrophy organizations Organisations based in the London Borough of Southwark {{UK-charity-stub