Parkinson’s UK – a charity close to our hearts

As announced recently, Parkinson’s UK has been voted as Parity’s chosen charity for 2022/23, and already, we have dozens of exciting fundraising ideas in progress.

While the charity does amazing work in helping those aff ected by Parkinson’s, we selected it also with a view to educating ourselves, as it’s a cause dear to our own hearts. Parity’s Senior Consultant, Kieran White‘s father has been living with the condition for 9 years – so learning more about Parkinson’s should allow us to better support him at work, and others in the future. Hearing about Kieran’s experience has made us determined to find out more, and already the facts have brought it into sharp context.

One in 37

Despite Parkinson’s receiving high-profile publicity in recent years, we were shocked to discover that it aff ects one in 37 people – a statistic which really brings it home, as there are 37 of us at Parity. As of 2020, 145,000 people in the UK are living with Parkinson’s, and two more are diagnosed every hour. Though it’s more common in those over the age of 50, early onset accounts for 1.2% and it’s more prevalent in men.

It’s a progressive condition which aff ects the brain, but many people continue to live full lives. According to the charity, the key is understanding how the condition impacts the individual, as it manifests in diff erent ways. There are three types of Parkinson’s with more than 40 symptoms, not just tremors, so often no two cases will be the same. Parkinson’s UK has been instrumental in developing treatments and discovering ways to manage the condition. Did you know that vigorous exercise is recommended for those who have been newly diagnosed?

Every pound counts

With a Eurovision sweepstake under our belt, funds are starting to roll in, so we’re keen to know what the pounds and pennies can buy – and it’s a lot, actually. As little as £18 enables Parkinson’s UK to keep brain cells growing in the lab, to test new drugs. It costs just £28 to fund a device which measures the impact of physical activity on the condition and £140 pays for five phone advisors to provide essential support and guidance to those that need it. Imagine the amount of research and support that can be funded with even more money.

To find out what we’ve been up to, take a look at our Just Giving page, and if you’ve any suggestions for fundraising ideas, let us know!