A WOMAN from Ludlow is calling for Shropshire residents to unite and help them stop Parkinson’s for good by joining a sponsored evening walk for Parkinson’s event around Ludlow Castle.

The Ludlow Walk for Parkinson’s event is one of 45 across the UK set to raise over £600,000 for charity Parkinson’s UK’s pioneering research to find better treatments and a cure for the condition.

Jenny Harris, 51, has signed up to take part in the walk on Saturday, June 22, because her father has Parkinson’s, and hopes that local people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels will join them on the day and take part in the walk.

“My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s three years ago and it has really slowed him down but doing exercise has been a huge help in managing his symptoms,” she said.

“People often misunderstand the symptoms of Parkinson’s and he can feel embarrassed by his tremor, especially in public so I’m doing the walk with my daughter Millie 15, a friend and our dog Flo six, to raise awareness among our local community about the condition.

“We are all very excited to be part of Ludlow’s first ever Walk for Parkinson’s event and we hope to raise as much money as we can to support those with Parkinson’s.”

At this family friendly event distances for walkers include options to take part in either a 1.5 or 5.5 mile route. Both routes will take walkers through breath-taking scenery and against the backdrop of Ludlow Castle alongside the River Teme. The walks will start at Ludlow Rugby Club at 6pm and will finish there too.

One in 37 people will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in our lifetime. This neurological condition affects people of all ages and has over 40 symptoms including tremor, loss of mobility and dementia. Earlier this year Parkinson’s UK reported that 86 per cent of people with Parkinson’s in the West Midlands have said they’d had negative experiences.