A 70-year-old was named winners at the MS Society’s annual Volunteer Impact Awards.
 
Mike Matulewicz won in the ‘Influencing’ category for his contribution to the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.

Mike has been volunteering with the MS Society for nearly 40 years and supported the MS community whilst caring for his late wife, who was diagnosed with MS in 1984. 

Winners were announced in November at a virtual ceremony hosted by comedian and MS Society Ambassador Ivo Graham.  
 
Mike said: “My wife Lynda passed away last Christmas after almost forty years with MS. She was my inspiration. 

"She bore her disability with such good grace and love. I look at the people we volunteer to support, who live their lives with MS, and I stand on the shoulders of giants.”  
  
“Receiving this MS Society Volunteer Impact Award is such a surprise! I feel honoured, but undeservedly so.

"The MS Society has lots of wonderful volunteers, and every one of them should be rewarded.

"So, I accept the award on their behalf, because we’re all a team. It's an honour to represent that team.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Mike has been group coordinator of first the MS Society’s Chorley group and then the Preston Group.  

He spent seven years as a trustee of the MS Society, helping to set strategy and review progress. 

He has also been involved in various advisory panels and working groups. Most recently, he was elected by his peers to be co-chair of a volunteer panel brought together to take a strategic overview of the work of local groups, and to advise on future planning. 
 
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 and Scott Mills. 

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. 
 
Chief Executive at the MS Society, Nick Moberly 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.”