MD Support Centre announces changes to its Board of Trustees as we say thank you and farewell to one trustee while welcoming back a former employee as our newest member.

Thank you and best wishes David

We’re saying a huge thank you to David Salt, who has officially stepped down from his role as a Trustee after almost 10 years on the Board.

David’s connection with the charity goes back even further. He was already a longstanding supporter and active fundraiser when he joined the Board in 2016, and over the past decade he has given his time, energy and connections to supporting the Centre in countless ways.

His annual Golf Days have raised funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre, and he later added twice-yearly quiz nights to his fundraising efforts. He has also supported other service users and fundraising groups, including Andy Collins’ golf days and skittles nights, and the Nuneaton Fundraising Group while it was active. Through his extensive network, David has secured donations for the Centre and represented us at numerous Rotary and other philanthropic organisations’ events.

David’s contribution has also helped us to make our therapies easier to access through our satellite clinics. He played an important role in identifying opportunities for new satellite locations, scouting potential venues and helping to build relationships with three locations. Two of these partnerships continue today at Murray Hall in Tipton and Reach for Health in Daventry.

From fundraising and introducing new supporters to helping us establish services in new locations, David’s contribution has extended far beyond his role as a Trustee. His enthusiasm, connections and belief in the Centre have helped shape the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre over the past decade, and we are hugely grateful for everything he has given to our community.

Ruth Hereford, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said:

“Underlying all of David’s contributions has been his unwavering belief and passion that the therapies and support the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre provides are critical for people with MD, and that we stay focused on making support like ours accessible to more people with MD around the UK. Whilst David will continue to support and be a part of the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre family, the trustees would like to wish David well upon his retirement from the Board and thank him for his many years of dedicated support and critical contributions to our development.”

Welcome Natasha

While we say goodbye to David as a Trustee, we’re also pleased to welcome Natasha Sweet back as our newest Trustee.

Natasha’s connection with the Centre began in 2012, when she became our very first employee. She later returned to lead our fundraising function, before going on to build an accomplished career in fundraising, securing investment from philanthropists, foundations and statutory funders across the health, disability and environmental sectors.

Now, Natasha brings that experience back to our charity, alongside her knowledge of fundraising, communications and team leadership. She also brings something particularly valuable: first-hand experience of the Centre, its development and the difference its services make to the people we support.

Natasha says:

“My journey with the Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre began in 2012 as its very first employee, later returning to lead its fundraising function.

“Having witnessed first-hand the life-changing impact of its services, I know just how vital a difference the charity makes to individuals and families living with muscle-wasting conditions. The Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre’s model starts with regular access to physical therapies like physiotherapy, which help people retain as much muscle function, mobility and independence as possible. Most people assume this level of support is routine, yet it remains shockingly rare.

“Across the UK, the vast majority of the 110,000 people living with neuromuscular conditions lack access to ongoing physiotherapy, a gap that costs both quality of life and millions in avoidable NHS costs. What this organisation has built in the Midlands is therefore quite remarkable, and I’m excited to return as a Trustee to support the charity in continuing and expanding this vital work.”

Please join us in thanking David for his many years of commitment and wishing him all the best for the future, while giving Natasha a very warm welcome back to the Centre and to the Board.