UKULELE players will be strumming in Worcester city centre on Saturday, April 13, to entertain shoppers and raise money for charity.

An enthusiastic band from Worcester Ukulele Club will play an array of songs in CrownGate’s Bell Square from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, April 13. While hoping to put a smile on people’s faces, get their

toes tapping and even get them singing and dancing the group is hoping for donations to its charity – Worcester and District Branch of Parkinson’s UK.

At midday players are also expecting a very special visitor – the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Jabba Riaz.

The club’s chairman Allan Corder said: “It should be a fun day while at the same time marking World Parkinson’s Day which is April 11 and joining in the week of events to raise awareness of the disease.

"We are a thriving organisation which to our amusement and pleasure has been named as the 14th best ukulele club in the world by an American ukulele website. We meet every Monday evening at the University of Worcester. We love to sing and play our ukes and have a huge number of songs in our songbooks.

"We now play about 100 gigs a year and many of these are aimed at fund-raising for our nominated charity. Last year we raised over £6,000 for our nominated charity and over £2,000 for Children in Need.

"This year we hope that we may be able to break our previous records with donations to Worcester and District Branch of Parkinson’s UK.”

Parkinson’s is a serious and progressive neurological condition with more than 40 symptoms that affects people of all ages. It is estimated that 1 in 350 adults have the disease and worryingly it is affecting younger, working age people. Currently there is no cure.

Parkinson's UK is the leading charity driving better care, treatments and quality of life for those with the condition. Its mission is to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson's through cutting edge research, information, support and campaigning.

Parkinson’s UK’s Worcester and District branch, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, has five groups across the county providing support, advice and friendship to people with Parkinson’s, their family and carers.

Volunteers run the groups and need to fundraise continually (as they receive no funds from HQ) in order to continue to provide mutual support to people with Parkinson’s across the county. As well as the friendship groups, the group organise activities for people affected by Parkinson’s including exercise sessions, singing and yoga.

They always welcome new members and volunteers. More information can be obtained from Jackie Murrall, Volunteer Coordinator, Parkinson’s UK, telephone 0344 225 9849 or e-mail: jmurrall@parkinsons.org.uk

The Worcester and District branch is one of 365 local groups in the charity’s network that offer a space for people with Parkinson’s to meet others in similar situations and access support.

The group is backing Parkinson’s UK’s national Parkinson’s Is campaign, which aims to shatter public misconceptions about the condition by highlighting the reality of everyday life for those living with it.

The campaign has been launched in response to frustrations from people with Parkinson’s that the condition is viewed as “just the shakes”.

Steve Ford, Parkinson’s UK Chief Executive, said: “We hope our new Parkinson’s Is campaign which sees people across the UK share how the condition affects their lives will raise awareness and help correct public misconceptions about this much misunderstood condition.”

For more information about charity Parkinson’s UK’s new Parkinson’s Is campaign visit parkinsons.org.uk