My Father had Parkinson's for over 35 years and passed away 20+ years ago. It was very debilitating towards the end. With the aid of nursing help, my Mother looked after him at home which impacted and took its toll on our family. Dad was banned from the local library because he dribbled a bit, something he was very self conscious about and always had tissues at hand. Something that made me 'furious'. The reason they gave was that it upset the children.

Sadly Katherine never got to know her grandfather without Parkinson's, however the memories she keeps hold of are that of reading to him from books he gave her for Christmas.

Fortunately with time and openness people are much more aware of the problems this awful disease does to people.

Several years ago I decided to become a registered volunteer with Parkinson's UK. I was asked if I'd run a social evening once a month at a local pub in Norwich. Of which I've done. We started with around 6 and now we have around 30 people who attend regularly. My belief is that this group is just as important for the husband/wife/partner of the person with Parkinson's. It is proving that my belief is correct.

So with the support of my daughter Katherine, we are walking 30km in one day in the Ultra Challenge Cotswolds Way together. We would be very grateful if you can spare a few pennies as it is very close to our hearts.

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