Holly Harvey

Why I am fundraising for Parkinson's UK

In 2016 my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. At the time it was a shock to our family and very worrying as we had little knowledge about the disease and how it would affect him long term. Since being diagnosed, my dad has now retired from working and has joined many groups which support people living with Parkinson’s. Most of which are funded by charities such as Parkinson’s UK. Being part of these groups has enabled him to meet people living with Parkinson’s as well as other neurological diseases, he’s been able to form friendships and share experiences with like minded people and receive support and guidance from them. This also gives him some freedom to go out and do things without having to worry about judgement or needing additional support whilst he’s out. 

These groups not only benefit people diagnosed with Parkinson’s, but the people close to them as well. My mum has now become my dad’s full time care, which means that she attends many of these groups with him and gets to meet other people who are also carers for their partners. She has been able to attend carer support groups and has made many friends through this and has benefitted from the support of having other people around her who are sharing the same experience of being a carer for a loved one.

There is no cure for Parkinson’s, but there are medications which slow down the effects and can ensure people who are diagnosed have a good quality of life for a little bit longer.

Parkinson’s UK is an important charity to me, because without them many people with Parkinson’s would not have the access to resources which are so important to them, such as social groups, counselling, exercise classes. As well as funding vital research into treatment, and hopefully one day, a cure.

I'm uniting with thousands of others, all passionate about improving life for people with Parkinson’s, by taking on a walking challenge through the month of May.

Any donation will be greatly appreciated.