A volunteer from Barrow has been named a winner at the MS Society’s annual Volunteer Impact Awards – a celebration of the amazing impact volunteers have on people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).
Gary Rushworth, 66, won in the ‘Fundraising’ category for his contribution to the work of the MS Society. Gary’s wife Moira was diagnosed with MS in 2002 and died in 2020.
Last year, to honour her and raise funds for research into progressive MS, Gary walked 1,800 miles across the length and breadth of Britain raising over £20,000 in total. The walk, which took place over 100 days, went from Land’s End to John O'Groats and coast to coast twice.
Gary began the first leg of his journey on April 14 2022, the anniversary of the first time he met Moira. Throughout the walk Gary visited a number of significant locations for his family ending on 25 September 2022, at Longtown, Moira’s birthplace on the date of her 60th birthday.
Winners were announced at a virtual ceremony hosted by comedian and MS Society Ambassador Ivo Graham.
More than 130,000 people live with MS in the UK, with over 130 people diagnosed each week. MS is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. This impacts how people move, think and feel. Without volunteers’ time and energy, it would be impossible for the MS Society to deliver the services and support that it does.
On winning the award, Gary said: “It is overwhelming to be recognised with this award and I am very humbled by what my nominators said about me.
"For me it is not about awards and personal recognition, it’s about all those involved in supporting me, donating, creating wider awareness and celebrating the amazing and inspiring volunteers who support the MS community. To be given the award by Barrow local Dave Myers made it even more memorable.
"It was a privilege for me to do something I love, in memory of my brave and beautiful wife, on behalf of a cause close to my heart. I am proud of what was achieved in Moira's memory, for without Moira none of it would have happened.”
The ceremony brought together volunteers from across the MS community with awards being presented by a host of celebrities including Emeli Sandé, Laurence and Jackie Llewelyn-Bowen, Nicola Walker, Dave Myers, Delroy Atkinson and MS Society Ambassador Scott Mills.
Ivo Graham, MS Society Ambassador, said: “I was very honoured to be asked to host the Volunteer Impact Awards. I knew that it was going to be a special night and we were going to hear a lot of amazing stories. We had rehearsed it a bit on the day but I was still very surprised by how overcome at points I was by the emotion in the room and the pride and love being expressed by the winners and the various contributors. I offset the emotion with humour as is my way and when it all felt too much I was rude to the band."
Nick Moberly, chief executive at the MS Society, said: “What a wonderful night celebrating our amazing volunteers. Our brilliant Ambassador Ivo Graham did an incredible job hosting, and we’re so thankful to all the special guests who announced our deserving winners.
“MS can be debilitating, exhausting and unpredictable and volunteers are the bedrock of the MS Society. In our 70th year it’s more important than ever for us to celebrate the tireless and generous efforts of each and every one. We hope that the stories shared tonight will encourage others to offer to support the MS community.”
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