Otley Zebra's U13s Fundraising Team

Team fundraiser • 5 members • Cure Parkinson’s

Story

Why not join our Just Giving fundraising team and help us with our mission to raise £10,000 (or more) for Cure Parkinson's?

Our Story...

Just before Christmas 2022 Steve Cockerham, the Dad of Harry (a team member from the u13s Zebras) approached the coaches with some loose plans to support Caroline, his wife, in some fund raising events for a Parkinson’s disease charity.

It then transpired that Caroline herself had been diagnosed with the disease, at the tender age of 42 and not fitting the profile of a typical sufferer. She has spent the last few years discreetly raising money herself for the charity. Caroline courageously shared her darkest fears:

I didn’t think I would ever be so open about this disease, I was too embarrassed and ashamed to tell anyone I had it, due to it mainly affecting older men.

I’ve learnt a lot over the past two and a half years about Parkinson’s and how it can affect you in many ways. Some days I think I have come to terms with it and other days I am terrified at what my future will hold. It’s like a ticking time bomb in my head, not knowing when things will change and when they do how bad they will be. It’s constantly there at the back of my mind that I have this illness and I feel so trapped that I will never be rid of it.

The story hit home, and the entire u13s Zebra family got behind the cause and the idea of raising as much money as possible to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Caroline spoke to the team about the disease and her experiences and the response from the boys and parents alike has been truly amazing!!

The boys are aware of Kevin Sinfield’s amazing fundraising feats for MND and a teammate and have grabbed hold of that concept. They are up for the challenge of pushing themselves to help out one of their teammates’ Mum……..inspiring stuff for an inspiring person!!

The team has pledged to raise as much money as humanly possible for the “Cure Parkinson’s” charity throughout 2023 holding a series of charitable events.

This includes a mammoth 🏔️“Everest Challenge” 🏔️ on the local Otley Chevin, climbing up the North face 18 times, a whopping 20km hike uphill all at an average gradient of 17 degrees.

They are also 🧽 washing cars, 👜 packing bags, 🎟️ selling raffle tickets, 🧁 baking cakes, 🍔 flipping burgers and 🏉 playing a charity rugby match!

The team will also be hosting a 🧐 Quiz night at the rugby club hosted by Shaun Wallace from the Chase!! Add in ☀️👪 a summer family fair, 🍸a gin tasting night, and 🔥hosting a bonfire………… the boys have a busy year.

If you think that this is a worthwhile endeavour and a worthy charity, we will gladly accept any help we can!! Whether it be a donation we can raffle, some of your hard earned money or simply sharing our story, it would all be hugely appreciated!!

A huge thank you for taking the time to read this and here’s hoping we can make a difference for sufferers of Parkinson’s disease!!