Thanks for visiting our fundraising page.

We are two retired local men with Parkinsons Disease who aim to cycle, Landsend to John O’Groats during June ‘08, to raise funds for Parkinsons Disease Society and also raise public awareness. We are meeting the costs of the trip ourselves.

Please visit our website www.geocities.com/pedalforparkinsons for news on our progress

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system associated with trembling of the arms and legs, stiffness and rigidity of the muscles and slowness of movement.

The disease is caused by the progressive loss of brain cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which produces the chemical dopamine.
As the cells die, less dopamine is produced and transported to the area of the brain that co-ordinates movement. Symptoms develop as dopamine levels drop.

Research suggests Parkinson's sufferers may also lack other brain chemicals including serotonin (linked to mood), noradrenaline (linked to blood pressure control) and acetylcholine (linked to mental state).

Parkinson's affects 8000-10,000 new people in the UK each year: on average one person in every 500 is affected by Parkinson's disease.

Most patients are over 40 and it very rarely affects people below this age (only 5 per cent). However, some people have developed Parkinson's in their teens. The risk rises so that by the age of 80 more than two people per 100 of the population have developed some signs of the condition. Both sexes and all races appear to be equally affected.

Can you help, please, by sponsoring us on the ride, an estimated 968 miles? All money raised by my efforts will go to the Parkinsons Disease Society helping people with the disease.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Parkinson's Disease Society gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor us now!

Neil Manning and Bruce Lorimer