I’m very proud to have been part of this wonderful charity for over twenty years, which not only supports those living with the serious condition of Parkinson’s but also invests in important research into finding a cure. But it’s easy to forget just how much we rely on our fantastic volunteers: we couldn’t function in the way we do without them, and this special season is the perfect time to let them know how much we value them.
I have seen first-hand how dedicated and hard-working they are, giving their unwavering dedication to supporting others throughout the year. From organising fundraising events to campaigning for better health care policies or taking part in research trials which could shape the future for Parkinson’s treatments – and even find a cure – we couldn’t do any of it without them.
And that’s why we set up our 2022 Parkinson’s UK Volunteer Awards: to show our appreciation to just a few of our magnificent 4,000 volunteers. We received almost 100 nominations and are rewarding 46 individual winners and 18 teams. People like Katie, who while studying to become a researcher to find a cure to end Parkinson’s, is also giving her time to improving websites and communications for her local group. Or our wonderful Newport branch, who help many people affected by the condition – and their carers – feel less alone. Many of our volunteers have worked tirelessly and quietly with our branches for decades.
It was a volunteer called Mali Jenkins who founded Parkinson’s UK, then known as the Parkinson’s Disease Society, in 1969. It is now the UK’s leading charity supporting people with the condition, and volunteers are essential to helping us transform lives of people with Parkinson’s, which affects 145,000 people in the UK. There is still so much to do, and we always need more support and more volunteers: do visit parkinsons.org.uk/volunteering for more information, or to find out more about the awards email the team at volunteering@parkinsons.org.uk
Meanwhile, on behalf of all of us here at Parkinson’s UK and those who are living with the condition, I want to say thank you to all our existing volunteers: you are deeply appreciated and we couldn’t do any of this without you.
Jane Asher
President of Parkinson’s UK
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