Balcombe couple who raise awareness for muscle condition are Local Heroes

But, for a positive change, it’s also home to this week’s Local Hero winners.

Judy and Brian Hammans are a dedicated duo who spend their time raising “invaluable awareness” to a group of rare and devastating muscle-wasting conditions.

Their grandson Lewis has muscular dystrophy – a group of inherited genetic conditions that gradually cause the muscles to weaken – and it’s his plight that prompts the couple to turn their home into a noodle restaurant each October.

MORE:

Local residents in Balcombe dine at their kitchen table or pass by the back door and pick up a take away – a system that’s become renowned locally which raises more than £1,000 a year for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign charity.

Their efforts raise vital funds each year for the charity and recently saw them scoop an award presented by BBC Sports star Sue Barker at the campaign’s national conference on October 12.

Robert Meadowcroft, chief executive of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said: “Opening up a pop-up restaurant in your home is a creative and challenging way to raise vital charity funds.

“Judy and Brian have helped us to fund research and support for families affected by muscle-wasting conditions, and by welcoming their community into their home they have also raised invaluable awareness about the work that we do and improved people’s understanding of muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions.”

Judy was hosting another fundraising day at her home when The Argus called to congratulate her on the award.

She said: “It’s quite apt you called today as we’re just winding down with a bit of cake from another fundraising day.

“Brian and I do this because there’s no cure for the condition.

“It is important people who suffer from it are given as easy a life as possible and people are aware of what they go through.

“Our Malaysian friend who helps us with the noodles has been away this year, so we dished out potato salad and things like that instead.”