Billericay mum wins Carer of the Year award
Shelley Simmonds was presented with the award in recognition of her support for the rare disease and disability community.
Shelley with her children Fraser, aged eight, who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and 11-year-old April
Submitted by Muscular Dystrophy UK
An Essex mum of two is the worthy winner of a Carer of the Year award for her devotion to her son who lives with the progressive condition Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Shelley Simmonds, from Billericay, Essex, was presented with Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Alexander and Valerie Patrick Award for Carer of the Year by sporting icon Gabby Logan in a surprise virtual ceremony.
As a dedicated mum to son Fraser, who lives with the rare muscle-wasting condition, her win was one of just six awarded by the charity across a range of categories that recognises success in fundraising, caring, volunteering, community engagement and research.
As well as working full time during the pandemic as a company secretary for a London-based firm, Shelley has campaigned and advocated through national media, radio and news channels on a huge range of issues ranging from shielding, the vaccination of vulnerable children and adults, isolation in the medically vulnerable community and how missed medical appointments were impacting people’s quality of life.
Owner of the blog, Fraser & Friends, Shelley has dedicated her life to caring for her children while also helping to support the rare disease and disability community at times when they felt alone and isolated.
The Billericay mum is also a trustee of Disability Rights UK and represents the patient voice for Genomics England. Her positivity and knowledge has been described as “an oasis in what can sometimes be a sea of pity”.
Muscular Dystrophy UK’s President’s Awards 2021 recognises heroes within the muscle-wasting community who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help make muscles matter.
Members of the public were encouraged to submit nominations for the Alexander and Valerie Patrick Award for Carer of the Year in recognition of someone who has selflessly offered vital support to those with a muscle-wasting condition, enabling them to live as independently as possible.
Nominees were shortlisted before the winner was decided by a judging panel consisting of three of the charity’s trustees.
Shelley neither knew she’d had been nominated for the award, nor that she’d won.
She said: "I was utterly stunned to win this award, especially when Gabby popped up on my screen – that’s not something that happens every day.
"Carers have played a vital role in this pandemic, yet their selflessness has often gone unsupported, unrewarded and unnoticed. I want other carers to know how amazing they have been during all of this; I see everything they have done and everything they have sacrificed to keep their loved ones safe over the last two years - and this award is for us all."
Catherine Woodhead, CEO at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: "I am delighted that Shelley has won the Alexander and Valerie Patrick Award for Carer of the Year as part of Muscular Dystrophy UK’s President’s Awards 2021.
"This year’s judging process was harder than ever and we are exceptionally thankful to our president, Gabby Logan, for presenting Shelley with her well-deserved award. Shelley goes above and beyond to support families, all while working full time and caring for her lovely son Fraser. She is the most remarkable woman.
"We’re sending a huge congratulations to all our 2021 President’s Award winners and thank them for their outstanding achievements to help make muscles matter."
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