A determined Newry man is preparing to take part in the Walk for Parkinson’s Northern Ireland alongside his close friend to help tackle a nationwide care shortage.
Event Details
Thomas McGrath and his buddy Frank Smyth will step out together for the charity event at Titanic Belfast on Sunday, June 14. The pair are encouraging others in the local community to join them in supporting the Parkinson’s UK Nurse Appeal, which aims to raise £9 million to fund dedicated nurses and specialists.
These specialists act as a vital lifeline for the 166,000 people across the UK living with the condition, but currently, more than 28,000 people lack access to them. Around one in five people with the condition are missing out on this expert care due to a nationwide shortage of specialists and a lack of understanding among health professionals.
Personal Stories
Thomas and Frank both live with Parkinson’s and formed a strong bond after meeting through their local Parkinson’s UK support group. Thomas said: “I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2018, aged 56. I went along to the Newry Group of Parkinson’s UK, and I was worried at the start. I thought it would be full of older people, and I wouldn’t fit in. But I met Frank there, and we hit it off immediately. Now we play table tennis every week at the Bat ‘N’ Chat organised by Parkinson’s UK, and we love the exercise and the craic.
“We both took part in Walk for Parkinson’s in 2025, and we will absolutely be back out walking this year. It’s a great day, and even though the weather didn’t play ball last year, we still had a great day. It’s lovely to meet other people in the same boat as you. Exercise is so important, and I try to walk as often as I can.”
About Parkinson's
Parkinson's is a complex brain condition that gets worse over time, affecting around 4,400 people in Northern Ireland and causing more than 40 different symptoms.
Walk Information
The upcoming fundraising event features two flat, family-friendly routes around Belfast, including an accessible 1.5-mile stroll and a longer 5.2-mile walk. It costs £12 for adults to sign up, while under-18s can join in for free, with a suggested sponsorship target of £100 per person. All participants will receive a fundraising pack and an exclusive event t-shirt, and the charity is also looking for helpful volunteers to assist on the day.
Charity Appeal
Emma McNeill and Nicola McClure, from Parkinson’s UK, said: “It’s inspiring to have people like Thomas and Frank sign up to support Walk for Parkinson’s to help raise money for Parkinson’s Nurse Appeal. The funds raised will aim to raise £9m over three years to increase the number of Parkinson’s specialists. This will give thousands of people with Parkinson’s access to the specialist care they need.
“We hope as many people as possible will come along to take part in the walk, which promises to be lots of fun. We’re also keen to hear from anyone who would be interested in volunteering to support the smooth running of the event.”
Official registration for the walk is open until Sunday, June 7. Anyone interested in walking or volunteering can find out more by visiting parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/walk-parkinsons or by emailing walk@parkinsons.org.uk.
