The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Muscular Dystrophy Fundraiser in Plymouth
A local fundraising group supports neighbours with disabled sons.
From the collection of:
Overview
TV Reporter Brent Sadler visits a team of fundraisers in Leigham in Plymouth who have raised money for the Hudson family to add a ground floor extension to their property. The new bedroom will be purpose-built to accommodate a bespoke bedroom. The couple have three boys, two of whom have muscular dystrophy. The eldest son, Paul needs to be carried upstairs to bed and John the youngest son aged four has also been recently diagnosed with the same debilitating condition.
Muscular Dystrophy (MD) is an inherited disorder that causes a weakening of the musculoskeletal system or a general wasting of the muscle tone in the body. The loss of muscle strength may be slowed by steroid drugs but to-date there is no known cure. Life span varies and is dependent of the speed of muscle weakness and wasting. Most sufferers become wheelchair dependent. There are many forms of the condition which may in rare cases be life threatening. In the UK around 70,000 people have been diagnosed with MD. Duchenne MD is named after the French neurologist who first discovered the disorder in the 1860s and is the most common form.
Related
Watch for free
Zero Hour Zero Hour
Charity appeal 1928 8 mins Silent
"In the kingdom of the blind, the St Dunstan's man is king": how blinded WWI soldiers set up their own businesses.
Watch for free
Disabled Fundraiser Disabled Fundraiser
News 1974 4 mins Location: Tamworth
Disabled ex-miner Derek Sewell lets his chair do the talking in his quest to help people with mobility issues.
Watch for free
Lest We Forget Lest We Forget
Charity appeal 1937 8 mins Silent Location: Andover
Charles Laughton stars in this appeal film for Enham Village Centre, where WWI servicemen with disabilities are cared for.
Watch for free
Lanlivery Special School Lanlivery Special School
Current affairs 1976 2 mins Silent Location: Lanlivery
Special School receives a special visit.
Watch for free
East End Cripples Enjoy a Happy Days Outing in Epping Forest East End Cripples Enjoy a Happy Days Outing in Epping Forest
Non-Fiction 1911 2 mins Silent Location: Epping Forest
Disabled East End ‘ragged’ children go on a trip to the country - but not everyone seems happy
Watch for free
It's Like Getting Wings It's Like Getting Wings
Promotional 1970 13 mins
Thanks to the Winged Fellowship Trust disabled guests at Crabhill House enjoy a fortnight’s holiday that can make a real difference
Watch for free
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Watch for free
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Watch for free
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Watch for free
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
Watch for free
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.