A Wrexham resident whose late father lived with Parkinson's is urging the community to take part in Parkinson's UK Cymru's flagship annual charity walk in north Wales this summer.
Walk for Parkinson's, organised by Parkinson's UK Cymru, will take place at Alyn Waters Country Park in Wrexham on Saturday, June 27. The event aims to raise funds for specialist Parkinson's care in Wales and across the UK.
Chris Knight's father, John Knight, lived with Parkinson's for more than a decade before passing away in 2014. John was actively involved in volunteering to support others with the condition in his local community. In memory of his father, Chris and his wife Clare now regularly volunteer for Parkinson's UK and will be cheering on participants at the walk.
Parkinson's is a complex brain condition with over 40 symptoms, including tremor, pain, and anxiety. It has no cure and worsens over time. The condition is on the rise, with someone diagnosed every 20 minutes in the UK. Approximately 166,000 people in the UK have a diagnosis, including 8,600 in Wales.
With proper care and support, people can live well with Parkinson's. However, a shortage of specialists means thousands lack access to necessary care. All funds raised by Walk for Parkinson's this year will support Parkinson's UK's Nurse Appeal to fund specialists.
Chris Knight said: "I'm delighted to support Walk for Parkinson's and pleased it's returning to Wrexham. My dad needed a lot of help as his Parkinson's progressed, and it had a big impact on our family. That's why I'm committed to supporting Parkinson's UK Cymru to fund the specialists people need."
Keri McKie, Community Fundraiser for Wales at Parkinson's UK Cymru, said: "We can't wait to welcome everyone to Wrexham for our spectacular fundraising event. Last year, we raised over £24,000 with 200 participants. We want this year to be bigger and better to fund care for the 8,600 people living with the condition in Wales. We can't put on an event like this without volunteers like Chris and Clare. Whether you're walking, volunteering, cheering on, or seeking support, everyone can get involved. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Alyn Waters Country Park on June 27."
Walk for Parkinson's will start and finish at Alyn Waters, Llay, with two route options. The shorter 1.4-mile route is fully accessible and suitable for everyone. The longer 5.4-mile route offers a greater challenge but is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Registration costs £12 (under 18s go free), with a suggested sponsorship target of £100 per person. All walkers receive a fundraising pack with tips, sponsorship forms, and an exclusive Walk for Parkinson's t-shirt. Sign up at: https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/event/walk-parkinsons-north-wales
More information about Parkinson's UK's Nurse Appeal is available at: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/donate/parkinsons-uk-nurse-appeal
