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North East Autumn 2011 NewsletterLatest North East newsletter

Our Autumn 2011 newsletter for people affected by Parkinson's in the North East is now available. Some of the sections in the newsletter include information and updates on:

  • Fundraising
  • The latest research news
  • Information and support workers
  • Education and training

Hardest Hit event on disability benefits, Newcastle

Newcastle Hardest Hit October 2011A big thank you to everyone affected by Parkinson's who came out in Newcastle on Saturday 22 October 2011, as part of the Hardest Hit rallies and marches that took place across the UK.

Around 5,000 people came out at rallies and marches across the UK to show government just how unfair these cuts are.

The message to government was that people with disabilities and conditions such as Parkinson's are being unfairly targeted by the coalition government's cuts programme.

You can see all our photos from the weekend's marches and rallies across the UK on our Flickr page.

North Tyneside and SE Northumberland Support Group win award

We were invited to the North Tyneside Age Takes Centre Stage Awards, the festival for over 50s, at the International Ferry Terminal, Royal Quays.

Our newly constituted North Tyneside and South East Northumberland Support Group received an award - "Highly commended in the Older People Together Category", in recognition of their achievements and contribution to the community.

A big thank you to you all, especially the committee and members who have worked so hard since January promoting our cause. The award will be displayed at our ATCS event on 28 October 2011.

Newcastle upon Tyne Branch supporting recent events

Newcastle upon Tyne Branch with Malcolm Macdonald at the DNXDisability North Exhibition

Members of the Newcastle upon Tyne Branch joined the North East Regional Team at the DNEX (Disability North Exhibition).

We were also joined by Supermac - Malcolm Macdonald, who played for Newcastle United Football Club in the 1970s (pictured right).

Great North Run

Newcastle upon Tyne Branch would like to congratulate all 250 runners in this year's Bupa Great North Run.

It was great to spot so many of you from our Supporters' Stand at the halfway-point, and we hope you had a successful second half. Well done!

Newcastle upon Tyne Branch would also like to thank the events team and our Regional Fundraiser, Arun Malhotra for all their help.

Thank you to our volunteers at the Great North Run

Great North Run group photoA big thank you to our volunteers who supported us at the Bupa Great North Run this year.

At the branch supporter point were the Newcastle upon Tyne Branch, and at the finishing tent the Northumberland Tyne and Wear Active Persons' Branch.

We had 250 runners and it's fantastic to have volunteers along the route to encourage and support our runners.

Equally important is the charity village tent at the end of the course that offers support through tea, refreshments, and massage therapists. Photos from the run are now on Flickr. Read our full news story: Thanks to all of our Great North Run athletes.

If you would like to get involved in future events, whether it's taking part in the 2012 Bupa Great North Run, cheering or just making tea, please give Ebbie Hulland North East Regional Manager a ring on 0844 225 3600 or email rm.northeast@parkinsons.org.uk.

Team Formica Group cycles for Parkinson's

On Saturday 27 August 2011, employees from local manufacturer Formica Group, in North Shields, cycled 137 miles coast-to-coast from Whitehaven to Tynemouth. The team of 13 cyclists have raised around £2,000 for Parkinson's UK.

Team Formica coast to coast cycle challengeFormica Group employee, Mick Charters of Wallsend, was diagnosed with Parkinson's 3 years ago, and when work colleague and close friend Michael Greenham came up with the idea of doing the coast to coast ride, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the condition, and to raise vital funds.

Mick Charters said: "We never anticipated the level of support that was received, and I can't thank Formica Group and the lads enough for all of their efforts."

Michael Greenham commented: "Mick is a really popular guy at work and we wanted to do something to support him and Parkinson's UK."

Michael is now talking about cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End next year, in support of the charity. Congratulations to everyone involved in this event.

12 in 12 challenge

Parkinson's UK supporters, Jack Brennan, David Jones, Jamie and Jason WinnParkinson's UK supporters, Jack Brennan, 20, David Jones, 25, Jamie Winn, 22, and younger brother Jason, 20, are taking on one adventure a month over the course of a year.

They start their year of challenges in May 2011 by trekking Hadrian's Wall - a massive 82 miles across the breadth of Cumbria and Northumberland - and will finish in April 2012 with a trek to Mount Everest Base Camp.

Jack Brennan and David Jones said: "It is much more satisfying to know we are doing this for a great cause and not just for ourselves. For us, as active individuals, a condition such as Parkinson's would be unthinkable.

"We hope to raise a substantial sum of money to help with vital research and to improve the life of those affected by Parkinson's."

Find out more about their challenge at www.12in12challenge.co.uk and sponsor them at www.justgiving.com/12in12challenge

Get involved in volunteering

There are lots of opportunities to volunteer with us in the North East, from joining one of our local branch committees, to helping us at events or getting involved in fundraising in your area. Volunteering can help you to share your existing skills or to develop new ones. All new volunteers receive an induction and support from our team.

If you are interested in knowing more about volunteering with us, we would love to hear from you. To find out more, contact:

More about volunteering your time to help people with Parkinson's

Get involved in education

Raising awareness

Do you want to share your experience of Parkinson's to raise awareness and improve understanding amongst health and social care professionals? If you would like to take part in education initiatives in the North East, then please get in touch with:

Telling your story

Do you have something that you want to say about your experience of Parkinson's?

It may be that you would like to share good experiences of care or you may wish to take part in improving education and awareness amongst health and social care providers by telling your story of any aspect of this condition, which might influence the practice of those who work with people with Parkinson's.

We're working with the CETL4Health narrative archive at Northumbria University who are developing materials based on shared experiences of service users and carers.

If you would like to know more please contact:

More about education and training for professionals in the North East

 

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