Muscular Dystrophy UK win Award at Charity Comms Inspiring Communicator Awards

We’re delighted to reveal that we’ve won an award at this year’s Charity Comms Inspiring Communicator Awards. The awards recognise talented communicators, awarding individuals and teams for their service to the charity sector.

The virtual ceremony held today (Wednesday 4 December) was hosted on LinkedIn. We scooped up the gong Best Collaboration (Freelancer / Charity) watched by hundreds of professionals from across the third sector.  We were also delighted to have been shortlisted for Team of the Year.

Best Collaboration 

We collaborated with Joy Baker, a PR and Digital Marketing Specialist in Design, Interiors, Landscape and Architecture, to support us with media and PR for our garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show May 2024, thanks to funding from grant-making charity Project Giving Back.

The garden, designed by Ula Maria, showcased accessibility, design and wellness features created especially for people in the muscle wasting and weakening community, whilst serving as a platform to educate and inform the show’s visitors about what it’s like to live with a muscle wasting and weakening condition. It went on to win a ‘Gold’ medal and ‘Best in Show’.

Throughout the collaboration, Joy was passionate, energetic, proactive and went above and beyond to not only secure media coverage but also provide her expertise and advice on wider activities such as volunteering, events and partnership opportunities.

Joy became an integral part of our project team providing regular updates, making creative suggestions and ensuring that the charity maximised this one-off opportunity. Joy secured some amazing media opportunities including the garden being one of the three main ‘spotlight’ gardens on the show’s opening BBC2 evening programme with a 10-minute feature.

Joy secured some amazing media opportunities including the garden being one of the three main ‘spotlight’ gardens on the show’s opening BBC2 evening programme with a 10-minute feature.

Together we are stronger 

Debbie Hoods, our Head of Philanthropy, Partnerships and Ambassador Engagement who project managed the garden, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that our collaboration with Joy has been recognised by the CharityComms Inspiring Communicator Awards.

“Working with Joy made life during this complex project so much easier.”

“Her expertise and knowledge of the relevant press, and her ability to react to ever-changing circumstances was impressive. Now the project is over, I miss her support and genuine commitment to our cause.”

“It is an honour to receive the Best Collaboration (Freelancer and Charity) award for my work with Muscular Dystrophy UK, promoting their cause through their Forest Bathing Show Garden, which won ‘Gold & Best in Show’ at the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.”

Joy Baker, Baker PR

“The garden, designed by award-winning designer Ula Maria, was made possible by sponsors Project Giving Back, who provided the charity with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to raise awareness and give a voice to the 110,000 people in the UK living with around 60 muscle-wasting or muscle-weakening conditions.”

Click here to read stories from the community.

Check out the Muscular Dystrophy UK RIA Member profile here  .