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Clare Gill

Walkies for Parkinson's 2024

Help me reach my goal of £500

Please help me
reach my goal

Raised

£605 + £48.75 GiftAid

My Goal

£500

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My activity tracking

56
miles

My target 30 miles

Why I am fundraising for Parkinson's UK

I’m taking part in Walkies for Parkinson’s to fund Parkinson's UK's groundbreaking research into better treatments and a cure.

There’s no cure for Parkinson’s. Yet.

I'm uniting with thousands of others, all passionate about improving life for people with Parkinson’s.

My achievements

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Raise 25

Reached fundraising goal

My updates

This is a true story!

Sunday 27th Oct

Dog walk limbo!

Parkinson’s means

I’m stiff and slow

So when I walk the dogs

I’m careful where I go

I walk on the flat

When there’s no one about

I’m ever so choosy

About when I’ll go out

This morning we went walking

Bright and early

Along the river

Just the dogs and me

A long walk

In the bright morning sun

Me and the dogs 

That should be fun?!

It started off well

No one else was around

The ducks and the heron

The only sound

Then across our path

Was a fallen tree

There was no way around it

For the dogs and me

The tree itself

Left a gap underneath 

No way I could crawl under

Even if I grit my teeth

Once on my knees

I’d never get up

Even with the help

Of a dog and a pup 

I didn’t want to go back

What else could I do?

I’m not your average person

So my choices were few

The gap under the tree

Came up to my neck

Surely I could just limbo?

Am I mad? What the heck?

Bending is a problem

I experience everyday

But limbo is different

Wouldn’t you say?

As soon as I set off

I regretted my choice

Why on earth didn’t I listen

To my inner voice?

A dog in each hand 

Pulling me through

They’re pulling too hard

Now what do I do?

I couldn’t bend far enough

So I was caught on the tree

Who on earth thought limbo

Was an option for me?

Caught by the neck

On the branch of tree

Dragged by two dogs

I couldn’t get free

Then dog number one

Spotted a squirrel up ahead

And yanked me off my feet

With no fear where he tread

No longer stuck

On the wrong side of the tree

Now sprawled on the path

Quite a sight to see!

I regained my composure 

And checked we were alone

There were four golfers watching

I might’ve known!

So in future

Wherever I go

There’s never a good reason

To attempt to limbo!!

Dog

Sunday 27th Oct

Dog


Chief protector 

He is all bark

Chaser of squirrels 

He climbs trees at the park

Frightened of fireworks

And any loud noise

Hider of biscuits

Collector of toys

Sharer of hair

Sprinkled like fairy dust

Lacking intelligence

But love him, we must

Provider of snuggles

He’ll steal your seat

Puppy dog eyes

As he begs for a treat

Lover of people

Especially his own

Unconditional love

The like, you’ve never known

Loyal to the last

Always by my side

My best friend?

Only he can decide

Dog ❤️🐶

Sick as a dog!

Friday 11th Oct


Obi has been poorly

He wants you all to know

Even though he’s better now

He puts on quite a show

He’s taken to his favourite bed

With all his teddy bears

He looks at you with big, sad eyes 

So he can check who cares

But don’t be fooled by his act

He’s actually okay

He inhaled chicken and rice

Like it was his last meal today

He reluctantly came for a walk

But soon forgot his woes

When he spied a squirrel

Who managed to keep him on his toes

The squirrel was just out of reach 

Taunting the brainless hound 

Eventually it ran up a tree

And was nowhere to be found

Instead we saw the aurora

That was quite a treat!

A once in a lifetime event

And we saw it from our street!

Day 6 update

Sunday 6th Oct
Obi loves squirrels
But he’s not very bright
He can’t even spot them 
When they’re in plain sight
He thinks he’s a scent hound
But I’d disagree
So he spends far too long
Looking at the wrong tree
The squirrels are brazen
They get pretty close
But Obi can’t even spot them
At the end of his nose
It keeps him entertained
As we clock up the miles
A dog of little brain
Raising more than just smiles
Fundraising for Parkinson’s 
Must be worth a bob or two?
To everyone who’s donated
We say a huge Thank You! 🤩 

Obi The Wonder Dog

Monday 30th Sep

Obi The Wonder Dog

Let me introduce Obi

My sidekick in this quest

As far as furry partners go 

He really is the best

Obi The Wonder Dog

So special and unique

No breed can explain him

He has no pedigree to seek

His super powers are limited

In fact he hasn’t any

Unless you include his Obi quirks

Then ‘none’ turns into ‘many’

Obi cannot catch a ball

It just bounces off his head 

In fact he won’t fetch anything

Unless it’s something dead

His talents lie in eating

He’s an expert at that

His food, your food, treats and cheese… 

No wonder he is fat (according to the vet!)

He’s also a pro at sleeping

He’ll do that anywhere

Usually somewhere in the way

He really doesn’t care

Obi is a professional

A master at his craft

Of not following instructions

And generally being daft

He’s missing some important bits

His head is full of fluff

But he makes up for that with endless love

And other important stuff!

So Obi The Wonder Dog

How did he get his name?

It’s a bit of a play on words

Wondering is the game

I wonder what he’s thinking

Does he think at all?

I wonder why he ignores me

When he hears me call?

I wonder how a single dog

Can shed so much hair?

I wonder why he begs for our food

But refuses to share

I wonder what is going on

Behind his big, sad eyes?

I wonder when I come home each day

If it’s truly a surprise?

I wonder if he realises

He’s terrible at hide and seek

I wonder if he thinks barking

Is his attempt to speak?

Obi is so special

He’s the perfect dog for me

I knew that when I rescued him

He would also rescue me

Walkies For Parkinson’s

Saturday 28th Sep
We’re not climbing a mountain
We wouldn’t reach the top
We’re not doing the Bake Off
It would be a total flop
We’re not rewriting history
Or flying to the moon
We’re not accomplished musicians
Playing a familiar tune
We’re not great academics 
Or scholars at all
We’re not actors or actresses
On posters on your wall
You will never know us
Insignificant are we
But we want to raise awareness
And raise some money hopefully!
We’re doing Walkies for Parkinson’s… hang on, you can’t go yet!
Don’t switch off because it doesn’t affect you
I can change your mind, I bet!
I’d rather not have Parkinson’s 
But I didn’t get a choice
It takes so much away from you But has given me a voice!
I’m not the greatest walker
But I’m giving it a go
Obi is the expert, he’s a rescue dog, you know!
We’re walking each day for a month
I know it isn’t far
But imagine you can hardly walk
And no longer drive a car
Imagine being in pain all day 
But pain killers are no good
Imagine you can’t drink your tea
Or even eat your food
Imagine working oh so hard
To do the simplest things
This is life with Parkinson’s 
And the difficulties it brings
I’m walking with Obi because we need to make a stand
For those people with Parkinson’s who need a helping hand
My efforts may be pitiful to those who do things that are great
But others who have Parkinson’s can definitely relate
I am just a middle-aged woman 
Who really isn’t fit
If I can make the effort
Surely it will help a bit?!

Parkinson’s Myths

Sunday 8th Sep
When people think of Parkinson’s they think of a tremor and mobility problems, and famous people like Michael J Fox and Billy Connolly and Paul Sinah.  They probably don’t think of people like me!

Firstly, I’m female and only men get Parkinson’s, right?!  Wrong.  Although it is more prevalent among men, the ratio is currently around 2:1.

Secondly, Parkinson’s is a disease of the elderly, isn’t it? Wrong again.  Although most people with Parkinson’s first develop the disease after age 60, about 5% to 10% experience onset before the age of 50.  I am 51 and I am just entering my 7th year since my diagnosis. 7 years in and I think I’m still doing OK!

If you’ve got Parkinson’s you just shake a lot and fall over.  Wrong again.  There are over 40 symptoms associated with Parkinson’s! In fact it can affect every system and process in the body.  The non motor symptoms can often be more debilitating than the motor symptoms.  I am fortunate that I can access a specialist physio, an OT, 
a SLT and a psychologist as well as a specialist nurse.  They work hard to maintain me at a functional level.  Who knew I was having all of that regular input?!
Not everyone with Parkinson’s will experience the same symptoms.  Symptom severity can also fluctuate and there is no way to predict this.  Medication to treat the symptoms can become less effective over time.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because we need to raise awareness.  Parkinson’s is not something to be ashamed of! Of course, I would rather I didn’t have it but I’m not going to hide away because some people find it embarrassing.

Which brings us to Walkies for Parkinson’s.  Obi and I will be doing our bit throughout the month of October, totting up the miles and raising awareness in our own unique way 😁

Please follow our journey and show your support, and if you learn something along the way then we’ve achieved what we set out to.  I’m not going to beg for sponsorship.  I’m literally walking my dog 😳. Parkinson’s is not one of those trendy diseases which attracts a lot of funding.  There is no cure.  Current success stories are limited to the chosen few.  I will not benefit from current breakthroughs because everything takes so long!  I know that if any of this resonates with you, you will sponsor me a few quid.  Thank you.  From me and Obi.  For reading and supporting and making a difference xx

Parkinson’s Promise

Saturday 24th Aug
Obi has a tiny brain
There’s nowt between his ears 
He doesn’t understand a lot
And has many fears
So to prove his worth in life
He’s doing what he’s able 
To raise money for Parkinson’s UK
The star of his own poetic fable
Aside from eat and sleep a lot
His skills are not that great
But walking he excels at
Although don’t look at his weight!
He’s made a vow to walk a mile Every single day
Throughout the month of October
He’s hoping that you’ll pay?
He’d like to raise £100
It doesn’t seem that much?
Please will you sponsor him
We promise to keep in touch
We’ll keep you all up to date
And share how far we walk each day
Hopefully we’ll raise awareness
And some money along the way
🐶🐾🐶🐾🐶🐾🐶🐾🐶🐾🐶🐾

Thank you to my sponsors

£70

Stephen Brooks

Good luck Clare

£10

Anonymous

Well done Clare

£5

Claire

Amazing walking Clare , well done 👏

£20

Jane S

Taking you over the target! Well done Clare and for a good cause close to my heart too xx

£40

Cassie Horton

Amazing achievement for an amazing cause!!! Well done to you both!🐶💖

£10

Jo Baker

Fantastic achievement

£150

Stephen Brooks

Good luck Clare and Obi

£20

Karen, Oscar & Angus🐶

Go for it Obi (and Auntie Clare) Love Oscar & Angus 🐶🐶

£10

Maddy

Well done Clare. You are amazing and such an inspiration

£150

John Tidey

Good luck on reaching your walking goal !! Love from John & Margaret

£20

Emma Gibbard

Good luck to you both I’m sure you and Obi will smash this Dave and I are so lucky to have such amazing friends ♥️

£10

Jo Collins

Good luck Clare, you are one inspirational lady xx

£20

Jules Xxx

It would be lovely to join you and Obi for one of your miles! You have got this!

£50

Margaret Brooks

So proud of you - and Obi!

£20

Clare Gill