A young man from Spennymoor, Durham, has received a prestigious charity award in recognition of his impressive care over the past year for his younger brother, who lives with a muscle wasting condition.
A year-11-student, at Whitworth Park Academy, William Jackson, 16, received one of six President’s Awards from Muscular Dystrophy UK, the leading charity for more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions.
William won the Alexander and Valerie Patrick Award for Carer of the Year at the Muscular Dystrophy UK President’s Awards in association with Air Now Technology Ltd.
The ceremony hosted by the charity’s President and TV presenter, Gabby Logan MBE, on Monday 19 February, at the Salesforce Tower in the heart of the City of London, saw the return of an in-person event since the pandemic.
Muscular Dystrophy UK President’s Awards recognises heroes within the muscle wasting and weakening community who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference.
Gabby Logan said: “It’s always such a pleasure hosting the Muscular Dystrophy UK President’s Awards, which celebrates the strength and diversity of our fantastic muscle wasting and weakening community. We’re consistently blown away by the dedication and selflessness of people. The awards recognise those outstanding people doing remarkable things to help make a difference. Congratulations to William for winning one of the awards.
William described as ‘funny, caring, charming and super bright’ has selflessly taken on a role of providing care and support for his younger brother Louis, 12, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. An avid fundraiser William has also taken part in charity fundraising initatives such as Bake a Difference and Go Bright.
After receiving the Alexander and Valerie Patrick Award for Carer of the Year William said: “It was fantastic to receive this award. Caring for my younger brother has really brought us together and helped to build our bond. As an older brother I feel like it’s my duty and just becomes part of my every day life.”
There were six awards in total, recognising success in fundraising, caring, volunteering, community engagement and research, as well as an outstanding achievement award. Four award recipients were nominated by staff and the remaining based on external votes. All were shortlisted by a judging panel made up of the charity’s trustees.
Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Chief Executive, Catherine Woodhead, said: “Congratulations to William for winning one of Muscular Dystrophy UK President’s Awards. We received lots of strong nominations – making the judging process harder than ever. Our deepest thanks to our President, Gabby Logan, for presenting the awards to our worthy winners at the fantastic event. It was a beautiful evening and lovely to be able to recognise people who give their all to making a difference for those living with a muscle wasting and weakening condition.”
For more information on Muscular Dystrophy UK President’s Awards winners please visit musculardystrophyuk.org/PresidentsAwards
For more information or to help support our work, visit musculardystrophyuk.org or call our free helpline on 0800 652 6352 (Mon – Thurs 10am – 2pm).