Man with Parkinson's to cycle from Liverpool to Polish Ukrainian border for charity

A 56 year old man living with Parkinson's is going to cycle nearly 1,400 miles from Liverpool to the Polish Ukrainian border to raise money for Parkinson's UK and children's charity Terre des hommes.  Gary Shaughnessy, from Tadley, will be joined by 7 friends, and they will cycle around 100 miles every day for 2 weeks.

Gary, who is Chair of Trustees for Parkinson's UK and the Z Zurich Foundation, was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2015 and he is determined to not let the condition define him. He decided to complete this new challenge after housing a family from Ukraine and being inspired to help other children, young people and their families.

Parkinson's is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and every hour 2 more people are diagnosed. There are over 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety.

Gary said:- "So many people don't know what Parkinson's is, and the challenges I take on are all about raising awareness of the condition, and also feeling more in control of my Parkinson's. The condition makes you feel like you've lost control, but when I'm doing exercise I feel more in charge and it helps relieve my symptoms. It helps me poke Parkinson's in the eye! As well as supporting Parkinson's UK, I'm also proud to be supporting Terre des hommes, a charity that supports mental well-being amongst young Ukrainian people who have become refugees because of the awful conflict. Having Elena and her wonderful family stay with us, has brought home the reality of a situation where families have been separated, loved ones lost, and security shattered. The mental scars for so many young people are hugely damaging."

Gary will begin his epic challenge on:- Sunday, 7 May 2023, setting off from Liverpool. He will head to Rotterdam, then Germany, before finishing at the Polish-Ukrainian border, stopping at 50 Zurich offices along the way, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Z Zurich Foundation. The Z Zurich Foundation focuses on supporting causes that benefit vulnerable people worldwide to thrive in the face of climate change, improve their mental wellbeing and reach their full potential.

When Gary was diagnosed with Parkinson's, he was working as CEO of Zurich's UK life business, and in July 2016 he was appointed as Zurich's CEO for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Through this challenge, every pound that Gary fundraises for Parkinson's UK will be matched by Z Zurich Foundation and the matched money will be donated to children's aid organisation Terre des hommes. The organisation is providing psychosocial support to children who have had to flee their homes as a result of the conflict in Ukraine.

Caroline Rassell, Chief Executive at Parkinson's UK, said:- "Gary is truly inspirational and we wish him the best of luck in his challenge. Since his diagnosis, Gary has focused his efforts on raising awareness of Parkinson's, raising over £100,000 for Parkinson's UK to date through a variety of fundraising challenges - this will be an incredible challenge to go along with the tough events he's done over the last few years. We're so grateful to Gary for supporting Parkinson's UK and helping us get closer to better treatments and ultimately a cure; supporting our community and funding and campaigning for better health and care. We hope that Gary's passion for supporting causes that are close to his heart inspires you to take on a challenge and make a difference."

Parkinson's UK is here for everyone affected by the condition. It funds research into the most promising treatments, and fights for fair treatment and better services.

Gary continued:- "The main medication that helps people manage Parkinson's was designed in the 1960s and there is no cure; yet. I hope that my extreme challenges will encourage others living with Parkinson's to get active, and will also encourage people to donate towards research that could lead to a cure."

Gary's Liverpool to the Polish Ukrainian border cycle challenge has been made possible thanks to sponsorship from:- BSG Financial Solutions, DAC Beachcroft, and Dynamic Planner. The IT Ukraine Association has also been a great support in helping promote the event.

To sponsor Gary visit- JustGiving.Com.

Demand for Knowsley foodbank increases by 60% as cost of living crisis continues to bite

THE ongoing cost of living crisis is bringing more and more people through the doors of the Food Club, a foodbank and affordable food shop, within Stockbridge Village, Knowsley.

Since September 2022, sign ups for the Food Club and referrals to the food bank have increased by:- 60%, with as many as:- 15 to 20 new people joining each session. In the last year, the project has helped around:- 8,000 local people and families in need.

The Food Club, run by The Big Help project, makes healthy food parcels worth around:- £15 available for just:- £3.50, helping anyone who is struggling to make ends meet get nutritious food. People can pick up to 10 items of their choice from a variety of groceries.

Local volunteers and staff from landlord ForHousing have been supporting:- 'The Big Help Project' to run the service since October 2020.

Based in ForHousing's community hub at The Croft, in Stockbridge Village, the project means tenants like Jade, (Name changed to protect the identity) who is aged 26, can get healthy food for her family.

The mum of 4 says she's been blown away by the support, with staff always making sure she has what she needs.

Jade said:- "Money is tight at the best of times, but especially when I needed to buy new School Uniforms for my 2 oldest children. I had nothing left for food or nappies. But the staff gave me 1 of the 'Feed a Family' kits for free that week and nappies. It really is a lifeline for me and my kids; I would be lost without it."

Steph Tomlinson, the lead volunteer at the Big Help Project Food Club in Stockbridge Village, said:- "People in our community are really struggling; which is why the Food Club is so important. It's helping put food on the table in these really tough times. We offer 10 items for:- £3.50, but if someone just doesn't have the money to pay, then we'll make sure they get a free food shop and try to link them up with other support."

Steph, who is a ForHousing tenant and has volunteered in the local community for more than 17 years, added:- "We do everything we can to help people have a balanced diet and get what they need; for example, we have veggie and halal foods, provide free sanitary products, and baby products like nappies. We also have cleaning products and pet food, too."

The progressive landlord, which owns and manages more than:- 24,000 homes across the North West, works in partnership with Liverpool-based poverty charity Big Help Project and local businesses to make as much food available as possible.

Together they have kitted out the shop, with ForHousing giving:- £4,000 for a new freezer and Big Help Project providing cupboards and glass fronted fridges.

Steph said:- "If the Food Club needs something, then our partners and the community will always rally round, we're close knit. We have a basket of unsold food from the likes of M&S and Greggs that people can pick up for free. We also support the community with free food shopping through the Feed-A-Family Scheme in partnership with ForHousing. This money is given back to us to restock our shelves."

Tenants with other worries such as debt, addiction or mental or physical health issues can also use the community hub as a stepping stone to other kinds of help.

Customers have been successfully referred to other support initiatives run by:- Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council and ForHousing, such as their Tenancy Support Scheme (TESS), all thanks to the Food Club.

Steph Tomlinson and the volunteers at the Community Hub were recently nominated by Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council and received an award from the High Sherriff of Merseyside for their dedication and services to the community.

Martyn Hague, Executive Director of Customer at ForHousing, said:- "We are committed to doing all we can to help tenants and the wider community through these incredibly difficult times. We understand that the cost of living crisis means some people can't afford to put food on the table right now. We're really proud of the positive impact the Food Club is making and the volunteers at the Community Hub really deserve their award from the High Sheriff of Merseyside. This year the Food Club is helping a record number of local people, and by working with our partners at Big Help Project, our staff, and volunteers, we can do more to improve people's lives in Stockbridge Village. We have a wide range of support available for tenants who are being hit by the cost of living crisis. We are here to help, and I encourage anyone who needs extra support to call us on:- 03001235522 or contact us via our website."

The Food Club is open every Tuesday, from:- 12pm to 2pm, and every Thursday, from:- 10:30am to 12:30pm, at the:- Community Hub, The Croft, Stockbridge Village, L28 1NR.

If you would like to volunteer or find out more, visit:- BigHelpProject.Com.