Ruth Hereford has been named the winner of the Richard Attenborough Award for Outstanding Achievement for her leadership at the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre.

Ruth, who is Chair of the Board of Trustees, received the award at Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Stronger Together Awards, which recognise outstanding achievements of people in the muscle wasting community. The prestigious award was presented by Michael Attenborough in memory of his father, Richard Attenborough.

Ruth said: “To be one of four nominees for the Richard Attenborough Award for Outstanding Achievement was an incredible honour. To then be chosen as the recipient, and to receive the award from the wonderful and esteemed theatre director Michael Attenborough in honour of his father, made it even more special.

It means so much to be recognised for my work over the years to build the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre, as well as the importance of the proactive therapies and support the Centre provides. To build the Centre from one day per week of therapy with one physio to six days per week across six Midlands sites, supporting over 700 service users with a team of more than 20, is the most rewarding and meaningful work I’ve ever been involved in. To work alongside so many amazing people along the way has been a real gift.”

Long standing leadership

At the award ceremony, Michael Attenborough said he had read about the Centre’s work, telling Ruth “it’s clearly been amazing.” He also shared that he was struck by the impact of the Centre and its development.

The award recognised Ruth’s long-standing leadership at the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre. She has played a central role in its growth and development over more than a decade, helping shape the organisation as it adapted to meet the needs of more service users.

Ruth’s journey with the Centre began in its early years, when she first supported it with accounting and bookkeeping. She later joined the Board of Trustees with the aim of helping the charity stabilise and move forward.

As Chair of Trustees, she helped guide the charity through significant growth and change. She introduced systems to improve coordination and make services more sustainable, including digital tools to manage appointments and volunteer-led delivery. Her dedication and leadership has been instrumental in providing ongoing therapies for people with muscular dystrophy.

Culture and community

Ruth also reflected on the importance of the culture built within the charity. She said one of her proudest achievements has been “building a collaborative, organic, people-led organisation” where staff and volunteers feel real ownership and connection to the work.

She explained that this approach has helped shape how the Centre operates day to day. “I like to think that everyone feels like they actually have ownership. It’s not just coming in for a job and then going home. People feel like they are a part of it, and they are building it together.”

For Ruth, much of the meaning comes from the difference the Centre makes to individuals and families. She described moments where service users arrive feeling isolated or unsure, and leave feeling understood and supported.

She said, “those moments where you talk to someone who was feeling alone, lost, or not knowing what to do. They come here and have an instant environment where people aren’t questioning what it is they have, or feeling like they have to explain themselves. People just understand. That’s really special.”

Everyone at the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre is incredibly proud of Ruth’s achievement. We are pleased to see her dedication and effort recognised on the national stage. The charity would not be where it is today without her.

View all winners on Muscular Dystrophy UK’s website.