In 2023, our Impact Award winners were announced at a ceremony hosted by the brilliant Comedian and Ambassador, Ivo Graham, and special guests!
The winners
Supporting and Empowering
Jo Newall (Lead Support Volunteer, Milton Keynes Group)
Jo is a grants wizard! Leading on her local group’s pilot for cost-of-living grants. Jo has supported over 60 people to apply for grants since 2019, and is responsible for grants awarded totalling almost £30,000! She’s also incredibly active in fundraising, and planning and organising services and activities for her local group.
Informing
Barry and Emma MacDowell from Kinmylies, Scotland
The newlyweds raised awareness of MS and inspired millions of people when the heart-warming story of their first dance as a married couple went viral. The pair both live with MS and Barry uses an electric wheelchair full-time. He was determined to stand for their first dance, so they embarked on a year of secret physiotherapy before surprising family and friends on their wedding day.
Sharing skills and expertise
Siobhan Allister, Fermanagh Group
Siobhan is a Group Coordinator, member of the Northern Ireland MS Council, and takes an active role in lobbying. She joined the Fermanagh group after being diagnosed with MS in 2010 and uses her personal experience to improve the lives of others by signposting them to support and guidance. She’s also taken an active role in developing the emergency grants pilot for her local community.
A passionate fundraiser, Siobhan’s also organised MS walks, cycles, abseils and special events. She’s raised more than £100k to support people living with MS in Northern Ireland.
Influencing
Mike Matulewicz (Group Coordinator, Preston Group)
Mike’s been volunteering with us for nearly 40 years! He’s been a strong advocate for change in the MS community, both locally and nationally. In addition to leading two local groups, Mike was a Trustee for seven years and, for the past two years, he’s been Co-Chair of the Community Networks Advisory Panel – sharing his skills, volunteer experience and knowledge of MS to advise on strategy and planning for local groups.
Fundraising
Gary Rushworth from Cumbria
Gary started volunteering for the Barrow and Furness group in 2013 as a Health and Safety Volunteer. He moved onto taking on personal challenges, fundraising events and walks in memory of his wife, Moira. He’s walked 1,800 miles across the length and breadth of the UK, and completed it in just 100 days! Gary's raised almost £10,000 for our Octopus research trial.
Connecting
Bradford and District and Skipton, Craven and Keighley Volunteers
Following the receipt of a joint legacy gift, the groups formed a legacy project, to improve services and support for people with MS. Together, they’ve funded a counselling service and local grants. As well as newly diagnosed events, social activities and developed four gym membership schemes in collaboration with a local GP referral service.
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