Hello!

My goodness, it's now October!! The Trek was in June and people are still asking about how to sponsor me! So thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page to perhaps do that, or to just have another read and look at a few pictures I've added now that I have returned from Trekking in Spain!

As you know I have Parkinsons Disease and since my diagnosis in 2006 (just after my 50th birthday party) I have been on a personal journey. Encouagement and support from family and wonderful friends has helped me on my way. So has, amongst other things, returning to singing, taking more exercise under the watchful eye of my personal trainer (see the photos!), and learning to Salsa (quite badly!).

The Trek with Parkinson's UK had two main objectives for me. One was that it was was the next part of my journey of positive things, and the other was that it enabled me to support Research into a cure for PD.

You see, with all that medical science has achieved in the world, I still can't quite believe that there is nothing that can stop the progression of PD. I have described having PD as feeling a bit like a time bomb - but not knowing when you'll go off!

That's why there has to be a solution sometime in the future, to either prevent Parkinsons happening at all, or at least to stop or minimise it's progression when its detected in the early stages like it was with me. Parkinsons UK funds loads of research and is now concentrating on finding a cure. The funds you have helped me raise are going directly to that.

When I joined up, I guaranteed to raise a minimum of £1,500 for the Charity, and I have to explain to sponsors that 'a share of this total was used to pay part of the cost of my travel, accommodation, meals and other trek costs'. I am delighted to say that I have already raised more than the minimum target through people using this site (See the total at the top) and the tradional way with cash and a Sponsorship Form. (over the £4,500 mark in total already!)

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So thank you to those of you who have already pledged money to support me and Parkinson's UK research; and thanks in anticipation to those who are still thinking about it. Please dig deep and donate as much as you can.

Well, what can I tell you about my experience of the Trek?

I went on my own with 24 other 'Trekkers' from all over the UK. 4 of us had PD and the others had a strong committment to supporting the charity and their research, either because they work in the field, or because a relative or friend had PD. That people would devote a great deal of their time and energy to this cause - and, in effect to me, (as someone who benefits from Parkinson's UK) was fabulous in itself!

In fact, the whole experience was fabulous! yet indescribable in a few words here! So I'm not going to write a description of the Trek as such, here. I am going to let the pictures attached speak for themselves, and leave you to contact me if you want more words!

Thank you.

No really, thank you!

Anna Farrer