Thursday 2 July 2009
Long-term supporter awarded MBE
I was so inspired by Lord Attenborough's speech that I had to get involved.
So says David Jackson of his involvement with the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, a long-standing partnership that has lasted over 40 years and for which David has just been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's birthday honours list.
Everyone at the charity is delighted that he has been recognised for all his hard work and dedication.
Explaining more about what drew David to the charity, and about Lord Attenborough's impassioned speech, he said:
My wife, Anne, and I were invited to a dinner that he was hosting. He talked so passionately about the charity and its work to help families affected by this dreadful condition that Anne and I looked at each other and we both knew we had to get involved.
And they did get involved. Four decades later, David and Anne can look back proudly at the work they have done to support the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. Together they set up the Redbridge Branch in 1965 and then a second Essex branch in Brentwood in 1974. But it's not just about the money, it's also about awareness. David is a fantastic ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, sharing the charity's story and cause with schools, companies and friends.
Since our welfare trust, the Joseph Patrick Trust, was set up in 1986 David has been a strong, guiding influence. His input, compassion and advice has helped the charity to award £3 million to help more than 5,000 children and adults buy specialist equipment, such as powered wheelchairs. Despite personal tragedy in his own life, David's commitment to the charity has never wavered.
Philip Butcher, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign chief executive, said:
David and Anne are old and much loved friends of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. They are very much a team. David has been a wonderful supporter for many years and I am very pleased that his tireless work has been recognised in the form of an MBE.
