Support my Journey climbing Ben Nevis for Parkinson's UK

I am a Parkinson’s nurse in Cornwall and I will be climbing Ben Nevis in July 2024 to raise funds for the charity Parkinson’s UK.

Around 10 million people have Parkinson's worldwide, but it is the fastest-growing neurological condition and that number is expected to double by 2050.

I am a Queens nurse and have been a Parkinson's Nurse for more than 10 years. I am passionate about Parkinsons and the care that individuals with Parkinson's receive. Parkinson's disease is a neurological condition that causes problems with movement and causes an array of motor and non-motor symptoms. Parkinson's gets worse over time. There is no cure, but therapies and medicines can help to reduce symptoms. Common symptoms include tremors, painful muscle contractions, stiffness and rigidity and slowness of movement. As the disease progresses, people may have difficulty walking. They may also have mental and behavioural changes, sleep problems, depression, memory difficulties, and fatigue. The symptoms of Parkinson’s and the rate of progression differ among individuals. Early symptoms of this disease are subtle and occur gradually. It is important for charities like Parkinson's UK to continue to be able to provide information and to help support those lives affected with Parkinson's. Parkinson's UK also fund ground-breaking research to find new and better treatments. Parkinson's UK help people to live as well as possible and continue to make sure everyone understands the real impact of Parkinson’s. Parkinson's UK has core values which are as follows and can be found on the PDUK website:

People-first: Parkinson's UK is strong movement for change, informed, shaped and powered by people affected by Parkinson's. They value and support each other.

Uniting: They unite People with Parkinson's, scientists and supporters, fundraisers and families, carers and clinicians. They work, side by side, to improve the lives of everyone affected by Parkinson's.

Pioneering: Parkinsons UK innovate across everything they do. They are creative, courageous and with pioneering spirit, they strive to continually improve.

Driven: Parkinsons UK live and breathe their purpose. They set clear goals and strive to deliver the greatest impact for everyone affected by Parkinson's.

Funding important research will bring the most promising treatments and will bring us closer to finding a cure. Finding a cure takes time so Parkinson's UK also champion research to improve quality of life for people with Parkinson's.

Please support me in my fundraising for Parkinson's UK to help all those affected by Parkinson's.

Thank you for your support!

Loraine Butcher

Queens Nurse

Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialist