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Monkton Elm Garden Centre has chosen Parkinson’s UK as its charity of the year for 2022.

Staff and customers at the family-owned independent company will take on fundraising initiatives throughout the year, with the aim of raising £5,000.

The partnership will start with a week of planned activities from Saturday 9 April – Saturday 16 April. There are many ways that people can get involved, with donations being made through sales of hot drinks and blueberry muffins, taking part in quizzes or buying a wish tag for the trees on sale.

The centre itself will also be one of more than 200 buildings and landmarks lighting up blue on Monday 11 April to mark World Parkinson’s Day and start conversations about the condition. Representatives from the charity and local support groups will be at the centre on the day to accept donations and help increase understanding of Parkinson’s.

The business chose to support Parkinson’s UK because co-founder, Luella Bellman, lived with Parkinson’s for over 20 years.

Speaking on behalf of the family at Monkton Elm Garden Centre:
“As a family affected by Parkinson’s we were able to see first hand the amazing work of Parkinson’s UK and are hugely appreciative of all the support they gave our mum Luella, and our father.

“We’re hoping that through this partnership, we’ll be able to raise awareness and money for Parkinson’s UK’s vital work – as well as having some fun. All money raised will help drive forward the search for new treatments, therapies and hopefully a cure.”

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. There are around 145,000 people already living with the condition in the UK, with two more people diagnosed every hour.

Melissa Rankin, Regional Fundraiser for the South West, at Parkinson’s UK said:
“We are hugely grateful that Monkton Elm chose Parkinson’s UK as their charity of the year for 2022. And we can’t wait to see them light up blue this World Parkinson’s Day to show their support for the local community.

“With more than 40 potential symptoms, Parkinson’s can devastate lives. We’ve made huge breakthroughs in the last 50 years, but there is still no cure and current treatments are not good enough, with many people experiencing distressing side effects from their medication.

“This incredible support from Monkton Elm helps us fund the research we need to drive breakthroughs, as well as vital services across the UK to help people with Parkinson’s to live well.”