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WILL YOU WALK WITH ME FOR PARKINSON'S? SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 13 APRIL 2024 AT YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK

11 April 2024 is World Parkinson's Day. I have been the Co-ordinator of the Parkinson's UK Yorkshire and Humber Younger Person's Support Group (YHYPSG) for just over a year now. Our purpose is to support anyone under 67 in the Yorkshire and Humber area who has Parkinson's and their family. We do this through holding information events, social events, supporting people individually and particularly through the new local groups we are trying to set up throughout the area. If we can raise some funds, we would also love to set up some subsidised exercise classes in the evenings and at the weekend for younger people with Parkinson's (who often have jobs and families and so cannot join classes during the working day), and get information into local hospitals about the support we can offer younger people as soon as they are diagnosed.

This year to mark World Parkinson's Day, the YHYPSG has worked in partnership with the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) to organise a walk on the afternoon of Saturday 13 April at the YSP followed by refreshments and a chance to socialise. The event is open to anyone with Parkinson's (no matter their age or where they live), their families and friends and anyone else who wants to support us (plus well-behaved dogs on short leads).

We are gathering at YSP at 1.30pm for a 2pm walk (length of your choosing). YSP closes at 6pm. There will be optional press photos for publicity purposes just before 2pm. The teas/coffees/soft drinks and cakes after the walk will be held indoors to give a chance to relax and socialise, and are subsidised by the YHYPSG but feel free to make a donation on the day should you wish.

YSP (which is a charity itself) has kindly agreed to discount entry to anyone attending - £6 per adult over 25 and free to everyone else. This includes entry to the extensive grounds and indoor galleries.

Entry is via a dedicated entrance for this event - the Park Lane entrance, off Jebb Lane. Car parking is free of charge and priority parking for Blue Badge holders is available.

YSP has four off-road mobility scooters available to hire free of charge from the main visitor centre should you or any of your guests need one. Please contact YSP Visitor Experience team in advance to reserve (01924 832631). A member of the YSP team will show you how to use the scooter. Off-road scooters are not permitted inside the galleries, but manual wheelchairs are available to borrow inside the galleries for those who need them.

We intend to gather at YSP regardless of the weather, as we can still catch up over drinks and cake even if it's too inclement to walk.

Many of you may remember that I held a much smaller scale of this event in Ilkley in January 2020 and, due to your super support, friendship and solidarity, we raised £3,765 for Parkinson's UK and raised awareness of Parkinson's through press and radio coverage.

My big ask to all my wonderful friends and family this time is that you again please consider:

1. Walking with me and my family, in solidarity and friendship, at Walk with Me for Parkinson's 2024 - I would be thrilled if you and your families/friends would considering supporting our event. I walk rigorously at least three times a week with friends to try to keep my Parkinson's symptoms at bay and walking has been an integral part of keeping me fit and well and taking as little medication as possible.

2. Making a donation in advance on this page, or sponsoring me on the walk or raising your own sponsorship if you are coming to the walk.

Please book your tickets in advance via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/walk-with-me-for-parkinsons-parkinsons-yorkshire-and-humber-younger-persons-support-group-tickets-849370348577?aff=oddtdtcreator

so we order sufficient refreshments.

You can email parkinsonsyhypsg@gmail.com if you have questions about the event or would like to request a sponsorship form. If you have a Parkinson's necker/buff from the 2020 walk or any other Parkinson's UK branded item or anything in the Parkinson's blue colour, please wear it, as we hope to generate press publicity for World Parkinson's Day. Otherwise, you just need footwear and outer wear suitable for walking. Also a water bottle might be a good idea.

I've known I've had Parkinson's for 7.5 years now (I was diagnosed at aged 46) and, following the initial shock/shame/confusion, I've tried to embrace it. It's made me live for the moment, embrace even the smallest joys in life and try to make the world a better place for those with Parkinson's. I've been supported in this by all of you, my wonderful family and friends, who keep me positive and constantly show me your love and kindness. I know I've asked you all before to financially support me, and I'm afraid I will keep on doing so from time to time as this is a horrible disease and I truly believe that the YHYPSG is helping younger people in our area cope with their shocking diagnosis and live their best lives (as well as creating an example which other areas in the UK will hopefully follow).

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