The Muscle Help Foundation charity is on a mission to deliver more transformational experiences to families living with Muscular Dystrophy through a new project working with Children’s Hospices
The Muscle Help Foundation (MHF) is reaching out to Children’s Hospices UK-wide to collaborate so the charity can provide even more of its transformational Muscle Dream experiences to children and young people living with Muscular Dystrophy (MD).
MHF works tirelessly to help fulfil the cherished dreams and aspirations of children and young people, uniquely between the ages of 8yrs and 28yrs, with the muscle wasting condition, MD. Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, this new project will see the charity collaborating with Children’s Hospices to help ensure families living with MD are made aware that the charity exists to provide what it terms ‘experiential respite’ activities and experiences, which it calls Muscle Dreams, which are delivered both in person and online. Examples of just some of the charity’s amazing Muscle Dreams include driving high-powered sports cars, flying a plane, meeting an acting or sporting hero or taking to the ocean in an accessible powerboat.
Michael McGrath MBE, CEO of MHF, which is one of the UK’s leading Muscular Dystrophy support charities, is the driving force behind the organisation and this project. Michael who lives with MD, founded the charity after undertaking two life-changing experiences that saw him make history by becoming the first disabled person in the world to journey to both the North (2002) and South Poles (2004).
Michael says: “The charity’s ethos is rooted in the idea that well executed experiences that fulfil a young person’s dreams and aspirations, can be powerfully transformative; and I speak from experience when it comes to that. The interventions MHF provides have been academically validated – the purity of our impact can be seen in many ways, not least improved mental wellbeing, personal resilience and diminished feelings of isolation. Experiences can be both profound and enormously joyful – they can also for example improve confidence and self-worth and be incredibly empowering. New skills and purpose can be acquired which are so vital for children and young adults living life with a disability in today’s chaotic and uncertain world.
“This project is about encouraging families living with MD to nominate themselves for these experiences so we can not only continue to have a positive impact but also grow our reach. Children’s Hospices provide such an invaluable service in communities right across the UK. They are uniquely placed to help communicate the availability of our Muscle Dreams experiences to their beneficiaries. Our aim is to reach more young people living with MD and do whatever we can to support them via our work. We are also acutely aware of the well-publicised funding pressures on hospices across the country – we want to play our part in being an adjunct to their vital services. We will do anything to help support those beneficiaries who need us most.”
Some of the charity’s recent Muscle Dream experiences have included the opportunity to see the ENGLAND v SCOTLAND Rugby match at the GUINNESS SIX NATIONS TWICKENHAM STADIUM. Every year, MHF also delivers its flagship Porsche Muscle Dream Driving Experience Programme at Silverstone – 2025 is its 14th year in delivering this incredibly popular event that attracts nominations from across the UK.
In the UK, some 110,000 babies, children and adults are impacted by Muscular Dystrophy – it is a progressive muscle wasting condition that deteriorates over time. It is the single biggest genetic killer of children in our world today. It robs sufferers of their mobility, their independence and finally for those with the most severe type, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), their lives. Whilst there are several global drug trials and considerable efforts in driving the research agenda forward, there is no known treatment or cure. Over the last 19 months, the MHF charity has lost thirteen (13) beneficiaries that they know of, with the average age being just 19yrs.
If you work at a Children’s Hospice and would like to learn more about MHFs work and to get involved in this project, please email: info@musclehelp.com
Places for Muscle Dreams are limited. Each programme has a Nominations Deadline. Eligibility Criteria Apply. If you’re a family living with MD and want to nominate yourself or someone else, find out more here: Nomination Page: – Muscle Help Foundation.
