Laois people invited to A Walk in the Park to support Parkinson's sufferers

Following in the successful style of Darkness into Light and Daffodil Day charity fundraisers, Parkinson's Ireland has launched a new nationwide fundraising day called A Walk in the Park.

Laois is front and centre of the first official year of the event, with a walk organised by Colt GAA club, and the whole county invited to come along and support it.

it will take place during Parkinson's Awareness week, on Saturday, April 5.

John Sinnott is the chair of Colt GAA and also the chair of the East Midlands branch of Parkinson's Ireland support group.

He told the Leinster Express / Laois Live why they are holding the walk.

"Parkinson's Ireland is trying to get its foot on the ladder with holding a national fundraiser. There will be 14 walks throughout Ireland and we hope it will be an annual thing. We held a tester in September last year. 

"My wife Martina has Parkinson's. She was diagnosed at 38, 22 years ago now. She is doing well. In 2018 she got Deep Brain Stimulation treatment at the hospital for neurology in Queen's Square London. That really improved her situation," he said.

He explained the treatment, which retired Laois county councillor Noel Tuohy also availed of in the past.

"With Parkinson's your brain stops producing dopamine and your movement is affected. The treatment, putting electric stimulators into the brain, fools it into producing dopamine," he said.

John who is a retired prison officer, said that his wife and himself get great support from the East Midlands branch, which covers Laois and Kildare.

"It does help. The branch teamed up with Abbeyleix Vitality Hub and on a Monday at 11am we go and do chair yoga with Eleanor Merriman. On Thursdays we go to Maureen Culliton's Sean Chistin in Ballyfin for a Movement Community class, just moving to music and having a chat and tea," he said.

The Parkinson's branch also takes part in Rock Steady Boxing weekly in Portlaoise, designed to keep muscles active and strong.

John is asking everyone in Laois to come and support the walk.

"We will hopefully get good support. We did even for the first walk. Dovida (formerly Home Instead) are our partners for A Walk in the Park and they will help out on the day.

"There are t-shirts available for people who register ahead online. Or people can come on the day, and just make a donation of their choosing. 

"You can walk whatever distance you're comfortable with, and we will have refreshments after in Doogues Bar, across the road from the club," John Sinnott said.

For anyone who can't make the Laois walk at 11am, The East Midlands branch will hold a second walk in Kildare at 2pm, starting from Moorefield GAA club, Newbridge.

Walk in the Park for Parkinsons will take place on Saturday, April 5 at 11am in Colt GAA Grounds, Raheen, Abbeyleix. R32 V085.

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Ahead of the walk, the East Midlands Parkinson's Support Group is holding a general information meeting, for anyone with Parkinson's and anyone who cares for them in Laois and Kildare. It takes place on Saturday, March 29 at 2pm in The Community Centre, Monasterevin, W34 FH24.

Kathy Foley, Parkinsons Nurse Specialist will give a presentation on the day on all aspects of Parkinsons Disease. For further information, please contact John 087-2712448

Visit www.parkinsons.ie to register in advance for A Walk in the Park, or for information on the charity supports.