A local man has been awarded with the Prime Minister's Point of Light Award following a personal struggle with a Fahr's diagnosis.

Fahr's is a degenerative condition that can affect motor function and lead to dementia, seizures, headaches, speech difficulties, stiffness or lack of movement in the limbs, eye impairments, and involuntary writhing movements of the body.

On Tuesday 11 April, Alicia Kearns MP presented Adam Tate, from Leicestershire, with the Prime Minister's Points of Light Award. 

The Prime Minister recognised Adam through this award for founding the organisation 'Fahr Beyond' to raise awareness of Fahr's Disease, a rare, genetically inherited neurological disorder. 'Fahr Beyond' is the world's only charity dedicated to supporting people with this rare disorder. 

On 14 March 2023, Adam was named as the UK's 2006th Point of Light, the daily award to recognise outstanding individual volunteers for the exceptional service they have given to their community. 

Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister, in a personal letter to Adam said: "I want to thank you for creating the world's only charity dedicated exclusively to supporting people with Fahr's Disease. 

"You know from your own experience just how important it is to learn more about this very rare disease and to support others who are affected by it. 

"So it is fantastic that your charity Fahr Beyond is doing exactly that, as well as helping medical professionals recognise and accurately diagnose Fahr's earlier." 

Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton said: "I am so pleased that Adam's outstanding work has been so rightly recognised through the Points of Light Award programme. Adam has turned what must have been an incredibly distressing diagnosis, into a cause for positive change and improved research for those living with Fahr's. 

"Fahr Beyond has done the most incredible work to not only support local families, but also families across the world – we are so proud of him in Rutland and Melton." 

Adam Tate, Founder of Fahr Beyond said: "This is absolutely delightful news to have been awarded a Point of Light in recognition of my charity volunteering work through Fahr Beyond, helping to improve the lives of people with Fahr's Disease and their families. This is not just a Point of Light for me, but it is a recognition of the incredible Fahr Beyond team. Interestingly, I was involved in 2014-2016 in identifying inspirational volunteers worthy of a Point of Light, so it is incredibly humbling many years later to become an awardee myself." 

Adam was first misdiagnosed with Fahr's disease in 2014, after a CT scan following a zip line accident. After a further six years of medical research, Adam received a definitive diagnosis of Fahr's Disease. This experience was the basis of Adam's inspiration to launch the charity 'Fahr Beyond' in 2016 to offer greater support to people diagnosed with Fahr's. 

'Fahr beyond' offers a range of support services, including a social group for patients and their families to share their experiences, and is developing an online area for people diagnosed with Fahr's to seek and provide support. 

Adam's charity also supports the world's first Medical Doctorate in Fahr's Disease, helping Medical Professionals to better understand and accurately diagnose this rare condition.