As a person living with Parkinson’s Disease I would like to help Parkinson's Europe by raising £1,000 for their programmes. I suffered from Parkinson’s for many years but was only diagnosed in early 2019. I have hiked nearly all my life but I had to stop in 2017 and 2018 as I was losing balance and was lethargic and depressed. I was not able to hike at all in 2020 because of COVID-19 lockdown. But, with the help of some wonderful pills, prescribed by my neurologist, I got my strength back and recovered so well that I now have more energy than before. In February 2021 I asked the neurologist: “How long and hard can I hike?” The answer was “As long and as hard as you like”. So now, turning 80, I am tackling Rhino Peak which is a 3000m mountain in the Southern Drakensberg of South Africa.

My message is that being diagnosed with Parkinson’s and put onto the right medication changed my life immeasurably for the better. I can speak again, sign my name and live a normal happy and active life. I know that I have been exceptionally lucky and this cannot last for ever. I am simply growing old anyway. But for as long as it lasts I am going to live life to the full.

Help me to help other people living with Parkinson’s by donating to Parkinson's Europe. This will help people with Parkinson’s, their families and carers to cope with the everyday challenges of living with Parkinson’s.

Please donate to support Ian's fundraiser via the GivenGain platform.