Austin Atkinson now 6 was 2 years old when he was diagnosed with Merosin Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. Austin’s sister Esther was 3 weeks old when they received this devastating news.  When a child is born every parent longs for the day they can walk down the street holding their child’s hand.  Richard and Gill Atkinson had to face that this may never be when they were told that Austin may never walk.

 

When Austin was 3 the Atkinsons visited the zoo for a family day out.  It was a lovely day, the sun was shining and Austin and Esther watched the animals with great interest.  It was one of those days they will always remember.  It was whilst walking around the zoo both Austin and Esther in their double pushchair, Austin looked up to Gill and said, “Mummy, will you hold my hand”, and there it was, with tears in eyes

“Hold My Hand” was born.

 

There are currently no cures or treatments for muscular dystrophy that affects around 70,000 people in this country.  Austin’s condition is rare but the Atkinsons never give up hope that one day medical science will discover a treatment or a cure for this cruel muscle wasting condition.

 

Through music Gill and Richard hope they can reach out to people to help support Austin and many others like him through the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign (MDC).

 

Gill, (Formerly an office manager) who sings with the Rodillian Singers and Richard, (Chartered Accountant) decided they had to do something for Austin and the MDC.  This condition wasn’t just going to happen to them they wanted to do something about it.  Gill usually sings and Richard comperes at all the concerts they organise, even Austin and sometimes Esther make an appearance to say hello to the audiences.  With the help of events expert and good friend Linda Cressey the Atkinsons have been involved with the organising of many major classical concerts for the MDC including those featuring Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson, Faryl Smith, Lee Mead and Jonathan Ansell to name a few and have now developed an event company LCA Events.  “Our music events have taken over our lives and we are now working with other organisations to produce other events”, “It has been a long journey but it is wonderful how it has all developed and we can now give to the MDC through everything we do.”  Comments from audiences include, “WORLD CLASS”, “BEST CONCERT I’VE BEEN TO….AND I’VE BEEN TO MANY”, “VERY SPECIAL EXPERIENCE”, “NOTHING LIKE IT”.

 

Hold My Hand encompasses many meanings; Hold My Hand to help me be stronger, to help my family through this, to comfort me, to let me know you are there and just because I want someone’s hand to hold.

 

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience one of LCA Events concerts especially for the MDC.  It will reach out to you in some way, no matter what your life experience is.

 

We are looking forward to meeting you there.

 

Love Richard, Gill, Austin and Esther xxxx

 

P.S.  If you can’t make it to one of our concerts but would like to donate to the MDC you can do this through Just Giving/Hold My Hand and you can learn more about Muscular Dystrophy at www.muscular-dystrophy.org

 

Thank you for your kind support.

 

 

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