Why I should leave a gift in my will for Muscular Dystrophy

Posted on May 28th, 2024

“Every gift, no matter how big or small, will help The Muscle Help Foundation charity continue to deliver its transformational wish-fulfilment Muscle Dream experiences for children and young adults (8-28yrs) living with Muscular Dystrophy.”

Writing a Will is a very important task. It means that you can protect your loved ones and make sure your final wishes are followed out in the way you want. Many people decide to remember charities in their wills by leaving legacy donations. A legacy donation can leave a lasting impact for the charities.

A study by the University of Hertfordshire into the work of the Muscle Help Foundation charity specifically, found that increased confidence (70%), self-esteem (76%), starting new interests/hobbies (66%), feeling empowered to achieve life goals (73%) and developing new skills (61%) were the key impacts wish fulfilment experiences can provide to children and young adults living with life limiting conditions such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the most severe variant. Some 96% of MHF’s beneficiaries are those with DMD. To read the study in full, click here.

As yet there is no cure for Muscular Dystrophy. There are however a variety of treatments depending on the type and severity of Muscular Dystrophy. These include physiotherapy and exercises, physical aids to help people stay mobile, pacemakers, and steroid medication, as well as corrective surgery to ease some of the physical effects, such as postural positioning, scoliosis, difficulty swallowing, and drooping eyelids. Muscular Dystrophy is deteriorative and unforgiving, robbing sufferers of their mobility, their independence and finally for those with the most severe form, their lives.

Legacy Donations can make sure that the work The Muscle Help Foundation carries out can continue and flourish. A gift in your Will can help us combat some of the feelings of helplessness, isolation, depression and anxiety associated with living with a rare disease like Muscular Dystrophy. Through our wish-fulfilment programme, we make cherished dreams that might otherwise have felt out of reach, a reality.

If your friend or loved one has left The Muscle Help Foundation charity a gift in their Will, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us today and we’ll help support the process. To download our Legacy Pack, click here.

If you have any questions about leaving a gift in your Will to The Muscle Help Foundation charity, please email legacy@musclehelp.com or contact the charity’s CEO Michael McGrath MBE.

Author: Charlotte Barrett, Guest Blogger & MHF Volunteer