Former pub landlord raises over £3800 for charity after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s

A former pub landlord has raised nearly £4,000 for Parkinson’s UK.

Stephen Dodwell held the birthday fundraising dinner at Bangor on Dee Racecourse after being recently diagnosed with the condition.

96 people attended to celebrate his 60th birthday and help raise funds for the charity through games, a glitter bar and auctions of goods donated by local businesses and the generosity of family and friends.

This culminated in the sale of a signed Manchester United football shirt which cost the auctioneer dearly as it was won by his son.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition for which there is currently no cure and it affects 148,000 people in the UK including 121,927 in England.

Steve, former landlord of The White Horse Inn in Overton-on-Dee, said: “Supported by my wife Jane and children Daniel and Nicola, we decided to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK because I have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

“Rather than sit around and mope about it, I would sooner get up whilst I am able to do so and raise some valuable funds to assist in the search for a cure.”

“I can’t believe how generous local businesses have been donating bottles of wine to restaurant vouchers and amusement park entry tickets to a premiership football club signed shirt.”

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 estimate that there are more than 40 symptoms of the condition. As well as the most widely known symptom – tremor – these range from physical symptoms like muscle stiffness to depression, anxiety, hallucinations, memory problems and dementia, but Parkinson’s affects everyone differently.

Alison Knott, regional fundraiser at Parkinson’s UK, added: “Nobody should have to face Parkinson’s alone – or without hope that one day we’ll find better treatments and a cure.

“That’s why we’re so grateful to Stephen and his family, who fundraise for us to keep our vital support services and research programmes going.”

More information on how to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK can be found here.