More than 140 walkers have already signed up to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK this Sunday but the charity is still urging people to join them for a sponsored walk around Ripley.
Walk for Parkinson’s is the charity’s national community fundraising series, and everyone is encouraged to get involved to get active, meet new people, and help fund life-changing research to find better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s.
The Walk for Parkinson’s event will follow two paths around Ripley which walkers can choose from: a five-and-a-half mile route and a shorter, family-friendly, one-mile route which is fully accessible. All walkers will warm up and set off together as they start and finish at Ripley Star Club.
One of the many families to have taken part in a Walk for Parkinson’s.
Jacquie McGuire, regional fundraiser for Yorkshire and Humber at Parkinson’s UK, said:
“Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. In Yorkshire there are 12,280 people living with the condition. Every hour, two more people in the UK are diagnosed, meaning one in 37 people alive today will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime.
“There’s no cure for Parkinson’s. Yet. But if we walk together, we can make a difference to the lives of people with Parkinson’s. We can make breakthroughs. We can find a cure.
“Whatever your age or fitness level, we’d love to see you at Ripley near Harrogate to Walk for Parkinson’s. Take the first step and sign up today.”
Parkinson’s is the result of the brain cells that make dopamine starting to die. There are more than 40 symptoms, from tremors and pain to anxiety, and some are treatable, but the drugs can have serious side effects. The condition gets worse over time and there is no cure yet. Around 145,000 people in the UK have Parkinson’s.
Walkers warming up before taking part in a Walk for Parkinson’s.
It costs £12 to sign up to Walk for Parkinson’s (under-18s go free) and it is suggested that participants raise £50 in sponsorship. All walkers will receive a fundraising pack with tips and advice, sponsorship forms and an exclusive Walk for Parkinson’s t-shirt to wear on the day.
As well as walkers, the charity is on the look-out for volunteers to help on the day. To find out more about Walk for Parkinson’s and to sign up to walk or volunteer visit the Parkinson’s UK website or email walk@parkinsons.org.uk.
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Ex-soldier to walk 104km in a day for homelessness charity
A former soldier has pledged to walk over 100km to raise funds for a local charity – without ever straying too far from home.
James Bryceson, who lives in Norwood in the Washburn Valley, intends to walk around Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs – which lie just a mile away – 10 times in a row, in an epic 104km trek that he hopes will take just 20 hours.
He is tackling the epic trek, which he has called The Reservoir Slog, to raise money for Harrogate Homeless Project, and has set £1,000 as his fundraising target.
James, who spent 13 years in the Army, 10 of them in the Military Police, said:
“I’d been out of the Army for a while and wanted to do something to get fit. I thought 100km in a day would be a good goal to set.
“There couldn’t be a better charity to support. This is a local walk, and I’m hoping it will benefit people locally.”
James, who now works as a recruitment consultant, has spent the last six months preparing for the walk by lifting weights and doing daily circuits of the reservoirs.
He plans to set off on the round walk at 8am on Sunday, June 25 and keep the water on his right – heading clockwise – for the duration. He will be accompanied at various stages by family and friends, but is urging wellwishers to join him for as much or as little of the challenge as they like. He said:
“You can come along for one lap, two laps or more. The night part will be hardest, as I’ll be quite tired by then. So if anyone can join me for that bit, that’d be great – they can keep me awake!”
He is also looking for sponsorship, and is asking interested local businesses to get in touch. People wanting to support James’s trek for Harrogate Homeless Project can make a donation online via JustGiving, at The Reservoir Slog.
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- Swinsty and Fewston parking charges to include ‘season ticket’