A MAN from Frome took on a 24-hour cycling challenge in honour of his father who passed away last month, raising almost £1,400 for Parkinson’s UK in the process.
Sam Read, 54, started his endurance cycling at 7am on the morning of Saturday 7 May, alone in his ‘man cave’ at the bottom of his garden. Throughout the day he was joined virtually by cycling friends and his two sons who are based in Perth, Western Australia who cycled with him through the night. Sam completed 337 miles in the challenge.
Sam’s dad, Geoff, and his grandfather both lived with Parkinson’s which inspired him to raise vital funds for Parkinson’s UK.
Sam said, “Dad loved to cycle when he was younger and it’s a passion that has passed through the generations. It was a natural choice for me when thinking about doing something to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK in his memory.
“He was diagnosed with the condition in 2019, after a tremor started in his hand. It was heart-breaking for the family to watch as he went from being independent to losing it all as the condition progressed. Soon he wasn’t able to do normal everyday tasks and that was hard.
“Parkinson’s affects the entire family which is why I wanted to do something to raise awareness of the condition as well as vital funds that will drive forward research for a cure. Research is making progress every day and I know that we’re close to a time when no other family has to go through the anguish of seeing a loved one deteriorate due to Parkinson’s.”
Parkinson’s affects around 145,000 people in the UK. There are over 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety, though it affects everyone differently.
Melissa Rankin, Regional Fundraiser for the South West at Parkinson’s UK, said “We are hugely grateful to Sam for choosing to support Parkinson’s UK with this incredible challenge of endurance – I’m sure his dad would be very proud of what he has achieved.
“With more than 40 potential symptoms, Parkinson’s can devastate lives. While we’ve made huge breakthroughs in the last 50 years, there is still no cure and current treatments are not good enough.
“Fundraising for Parkinson’s UK like Sam helps us drive forward the research we need to transform the lives of people with Parkinson’s, as well as fund the vital services that help them live well with the condition.”
To support Sam’s fundraising, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/samuel-read3 To find out how to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK, visit parkinsons.org.uk/fundraising
Pictured: Sam Read in action as he raises money for Parkinson’s UK.
