On the near horizon are some "very encouraging potential treatments that get at the heart and core" of the disease.

WSJ: New Muscular Dystrophy Drugs Offer Hope

"Without your heart-warming and encouraging displays of affection, the burdens, which certainly have existed, would have weighed heavily, " she said.

BBC: Dutch Queen Beatrix abdicates in favour of son

Ms Cooper said government schemes encouraging children to walk or cycle to school would help to keep children active and cut the risks of heart disease and obesity in later life.

BBC: Children eating