People across the South East are being asked to help stop Parkinson’s for good by putting on their walking boots.
The charity is asking people to join in with their nearest Walk for Parkinson’s event this year: for Wokingham Paper readers that will be Welford Park, which is close to Newbury.
This takes place on Sunday, April 28.
Other events include Ashdown Forest in East Sussex (Sunday, May 12), Seven Sisters in East Sussex (Sunday, June 23), Cowdray Estate in West Sussex (Sunday, July 14), Surrey Hills in Dorking (Sunday, July 14), Leeds Castle in Kent (Sunday, September 8), and Oxford (Sunday, September 22).
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that affects 145,000 people across the UK, with an estimated 19,806 people living with Parkinson’s in the South East. It can affect people of all ages and has over 40 symptoms including tremor, loss of mobility and dementia.
Over the past four years Walk for Parkinson’s fundraisers have raised more than £1.5 million for Parkinson’s UK’s pioneering research to find a cure for the condition – and the charity believes that scientists could now be on the verge of major breakthroughs.
Sky Sports Presenter and Champion of Walking for Parkinson’s UK Dave Clark was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011 aged 44. He is a keen walker himself and is encouraging people to lace up their walking boots to raise funds to help end Parkinson’s for good.
He said: “Parkinson’s has had a huge impact on my life. On my worst days it’s hard to walk, talk or write my own name, and it’s tough knowing that things will get even harder for me and my family as it progresses.
“But Parkinson’s UK’s pioneering research gives me hope that we will find a cure for this brutal condition, and walking helps me stay active and positive.
“Walk for Parkinson’s events have already raised a phenomenal amount of money for the fight to find a cure – and we’re now on the verge of major research breakthroughs that could end Parkinson’s for good.
“So, whatever your age or ability, please sign-up to join a walk near you in the South East and be part of the final push to find a cure.”
