I'm fundraising for Parkinson's UK and this time it's personal
In July 2024, something odd started happening—my left big toe began twitching. It seemed minor at first, just one of those strange little body quirks. But by the time I got around to seeing a doctor, I’d also developed a slight tremor in my left hand.
The doctor chalked it up to a freak accident I’d had—being thrown onto the beach by a wave, cracking my neck and back in the process. So I started physiotherapy and tried to carry on.
Six months later, though, my symptoms had progressed.. The tremor in both my hand and foot had gotten worse. I went back to the doctor’s and this time I was referred to a neurologist. This time, I listened to my wife’s advice and saw a neurologist privately.
The night before the appointment, I went down a rabbit hole on the Parkinson’s UK website. The more I read, the more the symptoms seemed familiar:
- I’d lost my sense of smell over 15 years ago.
- I had stiffness and found it hard to get on a bike.
- A tremor was affecting one side of my body.
- My handwriting had become increasingly illegible as my fine motor skills were worsening.
- And I’d been feeling a general sense of apathy and lack of drive to do things I normally enjoyed.
Just before Christmas 2024, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. It hit me like a freight train and I felt like life as I knew it was over.
But things changed—quickly
Within days of the diagnosis I had started medication and the difference was astonishing. Before, after a game of badminton, I could barely walk the next day. My back, hips, and calves would seize up. But once on medication, the pain disappeared. Even my left shoulder—stiff for months—felt normal again. I could swim front crawl for the first time in years without sinking halfway through a lap.
I’ve always loved cycling. A few years ago, I rode two-day, 150-mile charity events to help disadvantaged children in Africa. But recently, I couldn’t make it more than 15 miles, no matter how hard my friends Paul and Mal tried to get me back on the road.
Now I understand why.
Inspired by my eldest son—who recently cycled solo around Taiwan—we decided to take on a new challenge together: the London to Brighton cycle ride, in support of Parkinson’s UK. We officially signed up on June 25, 2025. The ride is on September 14. Training time is short, but the cause couldn’t be more personal.
If you’re able to, please consider sponsoring me. This ride is more than just a physical challenge—it’s a way for me to take back some control, raise awareness, and support the thousands of others affected by Parkinson’s.
Thank you so much,
Halim
It's 55 miles and 3300 feet elevation (that's a lot) plus another 20 miles to get to and from the start.
Your mum, son or friend. Anyone can get Parkinson’s, young or old. Every hour, two more people are diagnosed.
There are over 40 symptoms. Tremor. Pain. Anxiety. Everyone’s experience is different. And there’s no cure. Yet.
That’s why I’m taking part in the London to Brighton cycle for Parkinson’s UK. With your help we can fund better care, drive research breakthroughs and one day find a cure.
We are the Parkinson’s community. We can shape Parkinson’s research. We can transform lives. Together we can find a cure.
Thank you to my sponsors
£20
Victor Douglas
£21.84
Andrew Nichol
£10
Jacqui
Good luck on your cycle ride
£21.84
Christine Godfrey
Good luck
£21.84
Sue Nicolini
Good Luck
£53.32
Ian & Jill Ramshaw
£21.84
Tullis Ross
Good Luck!
£21.84
Jon Horsley
Wishing you and mini-Halim success on the ride and all the best for the future.
£21.84
Steve Langdale
Good luck Halim.
£21.84
Chris Rimington
Good luck
£42.79
Russell Cook
£11.33
Caroline Forman
Good luck and enjoy it !! Caroline and Julian
£16.56
Anonymous
£20
Bantam Paul
You’ve got this no problem - well done Halim 💪
£11.33
L Hong
Best wishes for the charity bike ride
£21.84
Michael Parker
Best of luck
£20
Michael Parker
Best of luck Halim
£21.84
Jonny Foley
£10
Jack Headley
£21.84
Nicola Heptinstall
£27.05
Susan Dewar
£11.33
Anonymous
£5
Thomas Shortland
£21.84
Kieran Beuttell
Good luck! Going to a great cause
£21.84
Chloe + Ben
£53.32
Aidan Inceer
£11.33
Jale Yilmaz
Good Luck Halim !.
£20
Eleanor Double
£100
Timur Ziddioglu
£10
Martin Ward
£53.32
Andrew & Liese
Best of luck, you can do this!!
£5
Mark T
£21.84
Rhona Eli-morris
£21.84
Stephanie Stewart
Good luck with the bike ride Halim. It’s very inspiring and a very worthwhile cause.
£20
Sue West
Good luck Halim 🙂
£32.23
Mark Joyce
Good luck to you and Samih!
£32.23
Sinan Inceer
Wish the best
£21.84
Maria Sellors
That’s a tough challenge but I know you can do it! Xx
£21.84
Lisa Harris
Good luck team Inceeh.
£11.33
Anonymous
Good luck Halim.. What a worthy cause
£21.36
Anonymous
£32.23
Gillian Greenway
Good luck
£50
Jill And Des Ramshaw
Good luck to you both.
£21.84
Richard Tyas
Good Luck Halim!
£32.23
Birol Mehmet Kaya
Good luck Halim.
£10
Tom Cockshutt
£27.05
Jack Ramshaw
£21.84
Anonymous
Good luck to you both
£6.11
Rich Lovelock
Good luck!
£50
Kathy Joyce
Good luck, Halim.
£25
Paul Cairns
Good luck Halim! Great charity - my dad passed with Parkinson’s last year and great to hear how much the treatment is helping you❤️
£32.23
Amy Ramshaw
Good luck!!! 🍀
£32.23
Karim Sharf
Best of luck!
£21.36
Melis Inceer Tirpanceker
Best of luck!
£50
Tim Bellamy
£106
Colin Wilson
£53.32
Anonymous
Good luck
£21.84
