Luke Holder, the Chef Director at Hartnett Holder & Co at the five-star Lime Wood Hotel in Hampshire is calling other hotels and restaurants to support a fundraising initiative called Meatballs for Muscular Dystrophy.
“We want to raise awareness of this foodie fundraising initiative called ‘Meatballs for Muscular Dystrophy’ for this small charity, the Muscle Help Foundation. We’re cooking meatballs. It’s about putting hope on a plate. We’re spreading the word. We’re encouraging other hotels and restaurants to get involved and raise some money so many more amazing Muscle Dream experiences for children living with this cruel and unforgiving muscle wasting condition can be realised”, said Luke.
“I ask for a call-to-arms for other hotels, restaurants, chefs, bars to join me in putting meatballs on the menu. Let’s do this! Let’s make an impact!”
As a chef well versed in provenance, Luke champions local, sustainable produce, creating cuisine that’s both rustic and sumptuous and what better recipe to reflect these qualities, especially at this time of year, than his special meatballs dish now available at Lime Wood.
“Muscletastic thanks to Luke and his colleagues at Lime Wood. I can’t wait to try the special Hartnett & Holder meatball dish! I’m thrilled that this always switched on fundraising initiative is gathering momentum. I’ve witnessed the passion and generosity of individuals and hospitality businesses who over many years have got behind to support an array of worthy causes. To those who have already committed to getting behind Meatballs for Muscular Dystrophy, thank from the bottom of my heart – you’re putting hope on a plate!” said Michael McGrath MBE, founder and CEO of the Muscle Help Foundation charity who is no stranger to the world of hospitality.
“I’d also like to pass on a grateful nod to Luke’s hero, who I discovered is Robin Hutson OBE, Chairman of Home Grown Hotels, the business that looks after brands such as The Pig & Lime Wood – I’m thankful to Robin for putting ‘Meatballs for Muscular Dystrophy’ onto Luke’s radar! Grazie mille!” added Michael.
In July 1984, Michael was offered a place on the Savoy Hotel Trainee Management Scheme by the then Training & Development Director Olive Barnett OBE – he opted to study Hospitality Management at what is now Oxford Brookes; today, Michael’s a proud OBU Alumnus. Tragically, at the start of his studies, Michael was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy and in an instant, his life changed forever.
“I knew at that cathartic moment in time that I would never work in hospitality, an industry that I’ve loved ad that to this day still flows through my veins,” said Michael.
Despite the deteriorative nature of his condition, Michael’s spirit remains unwavering. A full-time electric wheelchair user for over twenty years, his passion for inspiring and connecting with others through speaking continues to thrive. In 2004, having planted the Hilton flag at the South Pole having worked with Wolfgang Neumann (then Area President Hilton Hotels UK & Ireland) across the HUKI estate as Hilton’s disABILITY Champion for several years. Michael is the first disabled person in the world to have successfully led expeditions to both the North (April 2002) and South Poles (Jan 2004).
For 15yrs, Michael was as a Judge on The Cateys. He has delivered keynotes at various industry events including the Master Innholders 14th Annual Hotel General Managers Conference at The Dorchester Hotel in 2007 and most recently the inaugural 2025 Accessible Hospitality Alliance (aha) Forum held in London.
ABOUT ‘HOPE ON A PLATE – MEATBALLS FOR MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY’
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This always-on fundraising initiative offers hotels, restaurants, pubs and contract catering businesses an easily executable opportunity to attract new guests, a constant challenge in today’s commercial environment.
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Businesses are invited to pop a meatball dish on the menu with a micro-donation coming to the charity to help fund more cherished moments-in-time for some of society’s most vulnerable children.
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Support from several personalities, including to date hospitality veteran Robin Sheppard (Bespoke Hotels), distinguished hotelier Harry Murray MBE (past Chairman of Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa) and Peter Hancock (past Chief Executive, Pride of Britain Hotels).
To find out more about Meatballs for Muscular Dystrophy:
Head to: meatballs4md.org
Primary Hashtag: #meatballs4md
ABOUT THE MUSCLE HELP FOUNDATION
- The UK’s leading experiential muscular dystrophy charity The Muscle Help Foundation (MHF), has been working tirelessly for 22 years to fulfil the cherished Muscle Dreams of vulnerable children and young people (8-28yrs) living with the muscle wasting disease Muscular Dystrophy (MD).
- Each Muscle Dream intervention is co-designed with families to boost confidence, improve mental wellbeing, and reduce isolation. No two Muscle Dreams are the same – from accessible powerboating on the ocean, to taking the controls of an aircraft and experiencing level flight to enjoying a cherished, memory-making day built around a personal passion such as sport or meeting a movie icon, each Muscle Dream is about joy, identity, and empowerment.
To learn more about the Muscle Help Foundation:
Go to: musclehelp.com
