Residents don walking boots for trek in aid of Parkinson's

Thousands of pounds was raised in aid of Parkinson’s as keen walkers took to Welford Park as part of an annual event.

In baking conditions and kitted out in blue ‘Walk for Parkinson’s’ t-shirts, 54 participants walked either a 2.5 mile loop or a 6.5 mile route through the park.

Walkers paid £12 for adults and £6 for under 18s, as well as seeking sponsorship – with £4,500 raised so far.

An estimated 350 people in West Berkshire have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a disease which receives no Government funding.

One of the volunteers and marshals at the event was Eugene Futcher, who was diagnosed with the degenerative disorder in 2014.

Mr Futcher, who is a member of the Newbury branch of Parkinson’s UK, said he’d been doing the walk for several years with his wife, Sue.

He said: “We take part every year and enjoy it and it’s always a very good event to be part of.

“The Walk for Parkinson’s events are very important because if we don’t raise funds to pay scientists to conduct research then it won’t get done.

“Parkinson’s is a bit of a Cinderella disease because there are more concerning diseases like multiple sclerosis and cancer which kill outright, so Parkinson’s doesn’t attract a lot of funding, so raising our own money for research is important.”

Parkinson’s UK regional fundraiser Katy Slade, who organised and took part in the event, paid tribute to Mr and Mrs Puxley for “the kind use of their estate”, Newbury Rotary Club for helping with the marshalling, Berkshire and Hampshire 4x4 for helping with the set up, marshalling and response vehicles, and Berkshire Raynet for helping with the communications.