25th November 2009 - the offline amount raised has been changed to include the incredibly generous matched giving donation from Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales. Fantastic!

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Well - we did it! We completed the walk in just under 3 hours, and rapidly retired to the pub for lunch as soon as we finished. The morning was glorious and we couldn't have hoped for better weather. My sincerest thanks go to Diane for organising this in the first place and taking part, Megan and Hannah, Stephanie and her brood, Pat Ambrose, my friend and neighbour Ania, Cathy Goodhew and Edward, and last but not least to my husband Tim, and my girls Tegan and Amelia. They all made the walk and without them it wouldn't have taken place. My thanks go to you for your invaluable support, and last but not least to the Bakery in Great Bedwyn for their kind donation this morning. As I write this, the total stands at £365 which is amazing! This sum will go straight to The Cure Parkinsons Trust and will go towards funding vital research projects into finding a cure for Parkinsons Disease. I'm now off to soak in the bathtub! Jo xx

PS Official photographer for the day was Tegan - well done my darling on some fantastic photo's

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In July 2009 (5 days before my 47th birthday) I was diagnosed with early onset of Parkinsons Disease, with the news that I had probably been suffering from this for about 4 years. Having decided early on that Tim and I were not going to let this intrude in to our lives, it became clear that one of the keys to keeping this disease at bay, was to maintain as active a lifestyle as possible (with the help of much needed meds). It also seemed logical to me that I raise money for Charity (well, I have to have something to aim for don't I). On hearing of my diagnosis, my friend Diane mentioned the "Pirates for Parkinsons" walk taking place near Marlborough on the 19th September, which is raising money for The Cure Parkinsons Trust and I decided to get involved. The aim is to get one thousand people from all over the world to take part in one of fifty walks, whilst raising awareness of Parkinson's disease and raising funds for Parkinson's research. 

So please, please, please DIG DEEP and donate now.

Many thanks.

Jo and Di xxxxx

PS I've decided not to set a target - any money raised will be a huge bonus and an incredible boost 

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