I have pledged to trek to Everest Base Camp in April 2023 to raise vital funds in aid of the Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy.

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 37. I am 52 now and experience tremors, stiffness in my hands and legs, freezing, shuffling, slowness of movement, lack of motivation, sleep problems, mood swings and depression as a result of my diagnosis. I have always been active and have found that continuing with exercise, such as golf and walking, has helped bring about an improvement in my symptoms.

In 2021, I visited Mussoorie in India and I was encouraged to join friends on a trek to Benog Tibba, one of the highest peaks in the region, standing at 2,250 metres (7400 feet). Then in 2022, I trekked 4,633 metres (15,500 feet) of Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers. This extreme exercise enabled me to reduce my medication considerably and I have decided on my next challenge.

On April 7th 2023, I will travel to Nepal to take on a trek to Everest Base Camp, which is 5364 metres (17,598 feet) which will coincide with World Parkinson’s Awareness Day which takes place on 11th April each year. In order to help the University of Kent establish a new Centre to support people living with Parkinson’s, I have pledged to raise money in aid of this project through this challenge.

The Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy will be based in Canterbury, Kent at the purpose-built Kent MS Therapy Centre . It will offer, under one roof, evidenced-based therapies such as neuro-physiotherapy, mental health support, group exercise, speech and language therapy, group singing and nutritional advice alongside ground-breaking research into the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation.

For more information about the Parkinson’s Centre click here

If you would like to support me by making a donation to my fundraising appeal, you may do so on my Just Giving Fundraising Page , .