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Parkinson鈥檚 UK is the leading Parkinson鈥檚 research and support charity in the UK.

Imagine not being able to move, sleep, or smile; feeling anxious or depressed and struggling to think or remember; your body not feeling like your own. This is what Parkinson's can feel like.

The three main symptoms of Parkinson's are tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement. But there are many more hidden symptoms, such as mental health difficulties, memory problems and pain. Some are treatable, but the drugs can have serious side effects. And current treatments only mask the symptoms 鈥� there is nothing that can stop, slow or reverse Parkinson鈥檚.

Around 145,000 people in the UK are living with Parkinson鈥檚. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e chasing down better treatments and a cure. People with Parkinson鈥檚 are our driving force. We join them with scientists to shape, steer and take part in research. So every breakthrough makes the biggest possible difference to their lives.聽

While this happens, we give people affected by Parkinson鈥檚 the right care, support and opportunities to live well with the condition. They know we鈥檒l be there for them, at every stage of the condition. Helping to give more good hours and more good days.聽

And we鈥檙e building understanding of Parkinson鈥檚 every day. Getting the public to care about those affected, and inspiring them to take action.

We are Parkinson's UK. Powered by people. Funded by you. Together we'll find a cure.

I鈥檓 honoured to be supporting this appeal for Parkinson鈥檚 UK, Europe鈥檚 leading charitable funder of Parkinson鈥檚 research, and a cause that is very close to my heart. My dad lived with Parkinson鈥檚 for many years and sadly passed away in 2018.

Anyone can get Parkinson鈥檚, young or old, and every hour two more people are diagnosed. Parkinson鈥檚 is what happens when the brain cells that make dopamine start to die. There are over 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety. It gets worse over time and there鈥檚 no cure yet.

But thanks to Parkinson鈥檚 UK we鈥檙e now closer than ever to major breakthroughs. By funding the right research into the most promising treatments, they get closer to a cure every day. With your support, they expect to see a new treatment available within the next five years. Until then, they鈥檙e here for everyone affected by Parkinson鈥檚, fighting for fair treatment and better services.聽

Thomas, 16, was diagnosed with Parkinson鈥檚 at the age of 15. Before his diagnosis, he had been struggling with his speech and developed a tremor, but the family were still really shocked to be told he had Parkinson鈥檚 at such a young age. Now Thomas is managing his condition with medication and is back at sixth form, but it鈥檚 still been a huge adjustment to make and his life has completely changed. The family are passionate about raising awareness that Parkinson鈥檚 can affect anyone at any age, and also funding research to find better treatments. In 2019 they raised money for the charity by taking part in a Walk for Parkinson鈥檚.

Donna, 50, is the third generation in her family to have Parkinson鈥檚, both her grandmother and her mum lived with the condition. Donna watched her mum experience terrible side effects from her medication before she died in 2018, and now with thoughts of her own daughter Beau, 6, Donna is determined to help the charity find better treatments. Donna has also accessed support from a Parkinson鈥檚 nurse and says she couldn鈥檛 manage the condition without her. Donna, who owns a children鈥檚 shoe shop in her hometown, also manages her symptoms through exercise.聽

Helena, a retired maths teacher and grandmother of 4, has lived with Parkinson鈥檚 for more than 18 years. In May 2018, Helena had deep brain stimulation, one of the most recent breakthroughs in the treatment of Parkinson鈥檚. Before the surgery her main symptoms were falls, tremor and problems with her gait and posture. She says that every day tasks were a struggle and every day felt like a battle.

Now, the surgery has turned her life around, she has been able to reduce the amount of medication she takes and she can 鈥渄rink champagne again without having to wear waterproof mascara!鈥� As well as benefiting from Parkinson鈥檚 UK鈥檚 research, Helena also helped to set up a local support group in her area.