UPDATE 4 - 9 December

(or the original story, please see ME below)

Well, the deed is done - the chin is smooth for the first time in 40 years - and apologies for the "after" mugshot - it was taken purely to prove I hadn't chickened out !

The big day couldn't have gone better - friends / family turned out together with two members of the PD Society North East Regional Team - many thanks to Viv and Jackie for being there; that's what I call support. And contrary to expectations, my PD consultant Sylvia O'Hanlon and her boss Professor Richard Walker (who heads up the PD team at North  Tyneside General Hospital) both put in an appearance - in spite of having other pressing commitments - thanks to you two, big-style.

And my final thanks must go CITY CREW's Shann O'Donnell who wielded the razor - and did a superb job on my chin. The shave was the most relaxing part of the whole occasion - and of course without CITY CREW the whole event would not have taken place at all...... brilliant support ! My thanks here must include Lloyd (the barber who was down to do the job initially, but unfortunately was ill - get well soon and thanks for being so helpful when we were discussing the arrangements - nothing seemed to be a problem !

The really tough bit was having to smile on demand for photos - for I was lucky enough to have the event covered by two local papers - as well as being "snapped" by friends and family. Thankfully that particular ordeal is over.

So all in all it sems to have been a success on both the awareness front and better still - the funds are still rolling in. Appproximately £460 (excluding gift aid) has been paid and pledged betwen the webpage and subscription forms ! Huge thanks to everyone for being so generous.

 

UPDATE 3 - 7 December 10.00am.

(for the original story, please see ME below)

The big day ....  in 3 hours the beard will be history !!!

Donations now £225 + gift aid, - brilliant !!

 

UPDATE TWO - 6 December

(For the original story, please see ME below)

In less tthan 24 hours I'll be beard-less ! I haven't given it much thought, to be honest - I've been too busy with planning and organising the occasion - but it'll feel quite strange, I'm sure. What's more important than my feelings, though, is the fact that donations through this page have reached the £200 mark !! So once again huge thanks to everyone who has been kind enough to contribute. Subscription form donations are also mounting up - I have been given £45 in donations with pledges for approx £ 100 more. I continue to be amazed at how generous people are at this, an expensive time of year, and just after Children In Need, too ! 

I'll try to put another update on the page tomorrow to let you know how the occasion went, and a photograph if a decent one of me is available ! Today I've changed the one on display to an image which draws attention to the PD Society 40th Anniversary this year.

Until tomorrow then, thanks once again and ..... watch this space........

UPDATE ONE - 3 December

(For the original story, please see ME below)

Well,. the webpage has been up and running  for a couple of days now, and I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has made a donation via justgiving so far. The response has been fantastic, and hopefully will continue once the beard goes and the cold winds hit my chin !

It's full speed ahead for the shave-off on Monday; Lloyd (CITY CREW 's demon barber) is looking forward to removing my 40 years'-worth of stubble. There should be "during-" and "after-" photos available soon after the occasion, courtesy of a variety of photographers. I'll make sure they are added to the webpage, so watch this space...................

Thanks again.

ME

Hi, I’m Ali Finlayson and I’m looking to raise funds for the Parkinson’s Disease Society (PDS) …… by being sponsored to have my beard shaved off !

It is 40 years or so since I was last clean-shaven and that coincides with the Society’s 40^th anniversary, which was celebrated this year.

I was diagnosed with the condition in 2005 and since July 2008 have been a regional volunteer worker for PDS. It’s been great therapy for me and the family tell me it keeps me off the streets!

THE PARKINSON’S DISEASE SOCIETY

The Society’s work covers a wide range of activity aimed at improving the lives of all of us affected by PD. It helps to identify and directly fill gaps in clinical care and treatment; it crucially funds world-class research into the causes and treatment of the condition. PDS teams of information & support workers provide one-to-one advice and guidance as soon as someone is newly diagnosed and the Society’s education and training operation delivers first-rate awareness and training to medical and care professionals such as GPs and care home staff.

PDS also organises and supports a UK-wide network of support groups who provide an opportunity for those affected by PD to get together to discuss problems, share experiences and exchange advice. When I was first diagnosed I wasn’t keen on the idea of what I regarded (wrongly) as a boring mix of “coffee mornings and depressing conversations”. But having spent some time at a local meeting or two, my attitude has completely changed. At a time when my life was regularly filled with feelings of vulnerability, I found the company of group members wonderfully supportive and full of humour and strength. I have met some exceptionally brave people; I have made some good friends; the quality of my life has been improved without a doubt. And I have been lucky enough, now, to get involved in setting up a new support group for people with Parkinson’s who are active, young at heart and probably still of working age.

That’s why I’m particularly pleased to have an opportunity to raise funds for PDS. I know that the money raised will benefit PD people in many ways, including funding of support groups. I know from my own experience how valuable those groups are; to say they can change people’s lives is no exaggeration… they certainly made a difference to mine.

THE BIG SHAVE OFF !!

I’m going under the razor on Monday 7^th December at the CITY CREW salon, 52 Dean St, Newcastle upon Tyne – start time is 11.30am. The salon is normally closed on Mondays, but is opening just for the fund-raiser. They are also supplying the hot towels, pampering and shaving treatment free of charge – so big thanks to CITY CREW for their generous support!!

And thanks to all of you …. for listening.

Now is the time to dig deep and donate, everyone ……. I’m donating my beard, but not everybody has one of those, so cash by itself will do nicely, thank you!!

Cheers,

Ali

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.