Dear Inner Wheel of Great Britain and Ireland

Established in 1969, Parkinson’s UK is the world’s largest patient-led Parkinson’s research and support charity. We are committed to finding a cure for this progressive neurological condition and improving life for everyone affected.

One person in every 500 has Parkinson’s. That’s about 127,000 people in the UK.

People with Parkinson’s do not have enough of a chemical called dopamine because nerve cells in their brain have died. Without it, people can find that their movements are slower, and a lack of coordination can cause major problems. Parkinson’s causes people’s hands and bodies to shake or freeze, which makes everyday activities such as eating, getting dressed, crossing a road or using a computer, difficult or dangerous. People describe it as feeling as though they are living in someone else’s body. No two people experience Parkinson’s in the same way and symptoms vary considerably. Once someone has Parkinson’s, life is never the same again.

Because we are here no one has to face Parkinson’s alone. Parkinson’s UK is the leading funder of Parkinson’s research in Europe; we offer vital emotional and practical support to people with Parkinson’s, their families and carers; and raise awareness and campaign to ensure people with Parkinson’s are treated fairly, with access to the support they need, when they need it. Our work is fully funded by voluntary donations so none of what we do would be possible without the generosity of people like you.

Thank you on behalf of all the staff and here’s to making an even bigger difference to the lives of people with Parkinson’s, their families and carers.

Steve Ford

Chief Executive