Parkinson's UK Shrewsbury Branch Newsletter | August 2025
- Charlotte Fisher
- Aug 26
- 5 min read
Musical fundraiser hits the right note
Our music night on 12July was a massive success, as Shrewsbury branch chair Maggie Connell writes:
I must admit I was a little nervous at the beginning of the evening... I've never grown out of the childhood fear that you will hold a party and no-one will turn up! However, more and more people filed into the room, so I needn't have worried - even though it was an incredibly hot day.
As soon as the music started, everyone relaxed and it wasn't long before the first few brave women (it's always women isn't it? - but at least we weren't dancing round our handbags!) took to the floor.
How can you sit down to Elvis in his heyday followed by lots more rock and roll, then back to Liverpool and the Beatles before the Rolling Stones! Singing duo Mike and Baz, who were kindly performing for free, certainly knew their audience... whenever we felt too tired, they'd break out with something irresistible: Abba, Tom Jones, Neil Diamond!
We stopped for a raffle (thanks to everyone who very generously bought so many tickets) then went back to the music to dance. What a fun evening!
The talented duo finished with Bring Me Sunshine, which brought back memories of Morecambe and Wise and perfectly summed up an evening of laughter and joy. And one that raised an extraordinary sum of £835 for the Shrewsbury branch of Parkinson's UK. Huge thanks to Mike and Baz!
Dynamic duo rev up for charity run
On 3 October, more than 100 Triumph car lovers will take to the roads of Britain for the weekend to raise funds for Parkinson's UK.
Among the competitors in the Round Britain Reliability Run (RBRR) are Duncan Abbott, a close friend of Shrewsbury Branch member Dave Jervis, and Duncan’s son Mike, who together make up the Lordsrake team.
Duncan, who lives in Longden, writes:
Over 2,000 miles, starting from London, touching John O’Groats, next to Lands End, and finally back to London….in a 1972 Triumph Stag….all in 48 hours…..what could possibly go wrong?!?
The trip is a non-stop challenge for both the crews and cars. The routes are carefully chosen to travel some of the best A and B roads across Britain. Strict timing requirements are set along the course that require the teams to maintain constant (legal) and consistent travel. Navigational errors and breakdowns cost time and can lead to missing checkpoints.
This is not our first rodeo. I participated in 2019, and Mike joined for the 2021 and 2023 rounds. The 2023 event was particularly brutal, including 12 hours of non-stop rain.
This year we are hoping to raise a lot of money to support Parkinson’s UK. Our close friend Dave is now three years into his battle with the disease. We also know many other families who have been impacted and we support the charity’s mission to provide help and support to the families as well as hopefully finding a cure for the disease in the future.
100% of all donations will go direct to the charity; in previous years the RBRR events have raised over £800k for various causes. All the costs for participating in the challenge are covered by the crew, ensuring maximum support for the charity.
We will be providing updates of progress both in the run-up and live during the event.
The 1972 Triumph Stag is into her 25th year of ownership in our family, having been found in a barn as a failed restoration project with the engine under hay bales and dents on the body caused by cows. Just 18 months later she was back on the road.
Support Duncan and Mike’s challenge for Parkinson’s UK — read their story and donate here.
Thrilling story of hospital founder
Branch chair Maggie Connell writes:
Wow! Well, those branch members who came to our last social were in for a treat!
Alison Utting (better known as "a Shropshire Lass") lives in Ellesmere and loves nothing more than telling stories.
The tale we enjoyed was that of the life of the early 20th century visionary Dame Agnes Hunt - or 'Aggie'. She was an amazing lady who, despite being seen as "too young, and much too lame" for the nursing profession, would go ahead to co-found one of the most prestigious hospitals, not just in Shropshire, but in the world: the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital.
But this wasn't a dry story, Alison had us laughing and occasionally almost in tears... and, for the entirety of her talk you could have heard a pin drop. We very much look forward to her next visit!
Parky Charter set for a political debate
It’s fantastic news that the Movers & Shakers' petition has gained the 100,000 signatures needed to trigger a debate in Parliament.
Movers and Shakers is an award-winning podcast which features six well-known public figures chatting in a pub discussing life with Parkinson's. Did you sign the petition? If not, please add your name as they still want as many signatures as possible.
The campaigners want the government to take the decisive five steps set out in the "Parky Charter" —Speedy Specialists, Instant Information, Parkinson's Passport, Comprehensive Care, Quest for a Cure—and to fulfil the Health Secretary’s promises.
As a priority, they want to make sure that everyone referred for a possible Parkinson’s diagnosis sees a consultant within 18 weeks and at least once a year after that.
Diet in spotlight at September social
Thanks to the help of our Parkinson's Advisor, Becky Faircloth, we have been able to arrange for Lizzie from the Community Dietitians (the Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust) to come and give a talk about diet at our 17th September meeting.
Lizzie has asked if there are any questions members would like to put forward in advance. Queries raised at previous talks have included:
Should individuals with Parkinson's take additional supplements/vitamins?
Should prescribed medication be taken before, with, or after food?
Is there a particular type of diet that those with Parkinson's should follow?
Are there any food types that should be avoided?
What about constipation, how can it be prevented?
Email your questions and topic suggestions to sec.shrewsbury.parkinsons@gmail.com so they can be passed on to Lizzie beforehand.
Footie fun on offer
Walking Football for People with Parkinson’s run by Shrewsbury Town Foundation has now ended. However, everyone is welcome to come along to Walking Football at the Extra Time Hub, also at the football ground, which takes place every Thursday from 10am-12pm. Just turn up if interested!
Dates for your diary
Our monthly socials are held at The Beaconsfield Club in the centre of Shrewsbury (opposite the bus station) on the third Wednesday of the month, from 11am to 12.15pm. These friendly meetings are FREE, and the club has a car park.
Table Tennis (free): Mon 4 and 18 August, 10.30am-12pm, the Sports Village, Sundorne Road, SY1 4RQ
Parkinson’s Exercise Hub (free): Wed 6, 13, 20 and 27 August, 10am-12pm, at Smithy’s Bar, Shrewsbury Town Football Club, SY2 6ST
Physiotherapy (free): Mon 11 August, 11am-12pm (NOT 25 August), at ‘Central’, above Palmer’s cafe, Claremont St, SY1 1QG
Speech & Language Therapy (free): Thurs 14 and 28 August, 2-3pm, Radbrook Community Centre, Calverton Way, SY3 6DZ
Branch Social: Wed 20 August, 11am-12.15pm, The Beaconsfield Club, SY1 1PD; Quiz run by Barbara Branch, plus board games, tea and coffee
Branch Social: Wed 17 September, 11am-12.15pm, The Beaconsfield Club, SY1 1PD; Talk by NHS community dietitian and chance to ask questions
Branch contact details
Website: www.shrewsburyparkinsons.com
Mobile: 07879 338895
Comments