We will undertake a unifying challenge in September 2021, (postponed date due to Covid) to highlight and support the future of neurotrophic factor therapies as they have the potential to slow, stop or reverse the progression of Parkinson's and urgently require more funding to continue research. Pledge your support by sponsoring a team below, read their story and add to their pot. Each team will be supporting one of the 3 nominated Charities; Parkinson's Uk, Funding Neuro or Cure Parkinson's

42 individuals or teams - including many of the GDNF Phase 2 trial participants, their teams and/or representatives of the Parkinson’s charities who funded the trial - will each run, cycle, walk or hike a total of 100 miles over 10 days.

The Background - The 42 trial participants were willing to submit to ground-breaking clinical trials in from 2013 - 2017 involving invasive brain surgery and infusions of a specific neurotrophic factor, GDNF; an amazing and inspirational experience highlighted in the double award-winning BBC documentary “The Parkinson’s Drug Trial – A Miracle Cure?”. Since then they have sought to put the spotlight on their belief that the treatment worked. To that end the GDNF Participant group, which represents a large number of the brave volunteers, wish to unite with Parkinson’s charities and other organisations to help realise the potential of neurotrophic factors to unlock Parkinson’s.

The Aims - The Challenge will bring people and organisations together, to raise awareness of and urgency for the need for a cure and put people affected by Parkinson’s truly at the centre of trial design. The Challenge will also raise funds to progress research and trials into the beneficial effects of neurotrophic factors, increasingly seen by science as having the potential for a cure.

The Charities - The three Parkinson’s charities who funded the Bristol based trial have stepped up to the Challenge and are themselves putting forward individuals and/or teams to join the other entrants. Parkinson’s UK, Cure Parkinsons and Funding Neuro are each aiming for the common goal of 100 miles in the ten days. These charities remain involved in investigating, testing and trialling the effect of neurotrophic factors on Parkinson’s, raising awareness of their potential for cure and placing urgency to eliminate Parkinson’s at the heart of their organisations.

The Dates - The challenge will take place between the dates of 1- 14th September 2021. The intention is that all participants and teams will then celebrate success at a special event on Saturday 2nd October 2021 at the Bristol Hotel.

Go to www.gdnf.org.uk to view information about the teams.