Whilst I have always maintained optimism that I would eventually reach my £60,000 fundraising target because the overwhelming positive support I was not prepared for the huge success of the fundraising dinner which was held on Friday 24th November in Glenturret distillery in Crieff. The dinner sponsored by Entier/Wild thyme was attended by 130 guests.  Ticket sales of the dinner alone raised more than £4500 towards my target. Both local and not so local businesses had generously donated valuable items to be auctioned off in what I'd termed a "shaky auction". The auction itself benefited from a professional auctioneer who knew how to engage an interested and very supportive audience. I still cannot quite believe it, but at the end of the night the event raised more than £18,000 lifting the total raised this year to over £65,000. I have no doubt the serious words spoken by top scientists Dr Miratul Muqit and Dr Esther Sammler stimulated engagement.  I am extremely grateful to all those who donated auction items, to Entier/Wilde thyme , and to all the volunteers who prepared the wonderful food, the event managers who ensured smooth running and volunteers who served food et cetera. Thanks also to Kenny Cormack and to The Erratics. Having met my target I say a final big thank you to everyone who supported me and do just wonder if I should change my target to 70 K? 

 

Thanks to Janice Fraser and a large group of volunteers, a very successful fashion show 'shook up' many woman's ward robes. The sell out event on the 3rd November was greatly enjoyed by those who attended  and a I am very grateful for the support.

My daughter Lottie and 9 of her friends:  Amy, Anya, Rachel, Mairi, Tom, Matty, Fergus, Ciaran and Michael all kept their spirits up high despite abysmal weather and their effort and support is boosting the funds raised.  I am again overwhelmed by this fantastic support. Thank you!

I was wrong on both counts. Parkinson’s disease does affect your family and my partner and daughters have been brilliant and very supportive, and people in the wider world have stuck with me. I’m extremely thankful for that.

Once I had accepted the reality of the disease and started telling people I was particularly struck by the following reaction: “Oh, I have known for years that you have Parkinson’s, I recognise the symptoms because my father has it”.

This hammered home the reality and also the fact that there are many people affected by this disease. I have since met numerous people who are affected by Parkinson’s disease and have also learned that there are different versions (so to speak) and different stages but in all cases there is progression of the disease resulting in a worsening of symptoms, reduction in mobility and for some a gradual erosion of quality of life. Being honest that is scary. 

I am fortunate that the progression of the disease for me personally has been slow and I am touching every bit of wood to keep it that way. I also believe that with adequate funding of appropriate research this dreadful disease can be tamed or cured. For this reason I want to try and raise as much money as possible for research into finding a cure for Parkinson’s. My fundraising target is very ambitious but if it is achieved it would fund cutting edge research for a full year and fund a Parkinson’s nurse for a day a week for a year. (Source: Parkinson’s UK)

As you may know, I have just celebrated my 60st birthday and this inspired me to set a target of £60,000 and a donation towards funding research into Parkinson’s disease would mean a lot to me.