Some of Scotland’s most prominent Parkinson’s Disease campaigners and supporters are to cycle hundreds of miles for a fundraising campaign.
Members of the “Shaky Team” will be getting on their bikes to cycle 30 kilometers every third day throughout June for the University of Dundee’s 30 Days Challenge, raising funds for Parkinson’s research at the University.
Three of the team members – Marc van Grieken, Brendan Hawdon, and Janet Kerr – were diagnosed with the condition between 2005 and 2019.
They are among the cyclists that will undertake the 330km on a combination of static indoor training bikes, e-mountain bikes, and out on the open road.
Marc said, “Since my diagnosis, I have gotten to know the team at the University’s Medical Research Centre Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC-PPU) and have always been overwhelmed by their commitment to researching this disease.
“The commitment, determination and drive of the research team and their belief that science will help to arrest, or even cure Parkinson’s is hugely encouraging and that is why I want to play my part in fundraising to support their work.
“Parkinson’s is a relentless, continually progressing illness, but we are not a silent minority, we will make ourselves heard.”
The most successful drug to manage Parkinson’s – Levodopa – was developed 60 years ago, but since then, there has been no major breakthrough in managing or treating the disease.
Every week, 30 people in Scotland are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, which is why the University has launched its 30 Days Challenge.
Taking place from June 1, people are asked to do something tiring, inspiring, relaxing, funny, or unique on each of the 30 days in June, to raise at least £120 for the Dundee Parkinson’s Research Campaign.
Their efforts are backed by the Dundee Parkinson’s Research Campaign, which was launched in 2019 to establish Dundee as the global centre for Parkinson’s research.
Since 2017, the Shaky Team has continued raising funds including running the Glasgow 10k in 2019, with its 26 members including Dundee Parkinson’s researchers Professor Dario Alessi and Dr Esther Sammler.
Marc said: “As a community, people living with Parkinson’s need to be louder.
“We need to be demanding more attention.
“Campaigns such as the University’s helps to shine a light on Parkinson’s disease and the impact that it has on so many lives.
“The researchers at Dundee live for finding a cure.
“I believe that with increased and most of all collective effort, thinking globally and acting locally we have a chance to sort out this disease and stop it wrecking lives.”
To sign up for the 30 Days Challenge for Parkinson’s, please visit the dedicated webpage.
Anyone wishing to learn more about the Challenge or donate can do so via the event’s JustGiving page.
