Burnham dad determined to find cure for Parkinson's (From This is The West Country)

Burnham's John Thatcher determined to find cure for Parkinson's

7:10am Friday 5th October 2012 in News

A FATHER with Parkinson's says he is determined to beat the disease to get back to doing the things he loves.

John Thatcher, 59, of Beale Way, Burnham, says he was “overwhelmed” by the support he received at two fundraising events in September to help find a cure.

Last Friday, John handed over a cheque for more than £1,400 to the Cure Parkinson's Trust; the money came from a truck pull and music event organised by John and his friend Andy Stone in September.

The money will go towards clinical trials on a possible cure for the disease being conducted at a hospital in Bristol.

John said: “I cannot give enough thanks to all the people who inspired, assisted, donated, participated, supported and enthused about the events.

“Without them all - my wife playing a huge part - we would never have got this off the ground, let alone raised the money that we did.

“Such is the support that we are already being encouraged, mainly by those people who were instrumental in the success of these events, to start planning the next one.”

John gave up full-time work as a manager in the manufacturing sector after being diagnosed with Parkinson's late in 2009.

Although he still works, now as a business improvement consultant, he says Parkinson's has made a big difference to his life.

He said: “I'm on medication so I'm not too bad but I do get tired.

“I used to be a very good skittler. I'm captain of my skittles team, but I'm not nearly as good as I used to be. My coordination and dexterity have been affected.

“Earlier this year, I was introduced to the Cure Parkinson's Trust by a solicitor in Bristol. I was introduced to a doctor who has been working on a potential cure.

“He said £1.8million was needed. I said I wanted to be cured so I'm going to raise as much money as I can.

“My wife Chris and my son James have been so supportive.”