Hiking Te Araroa for Parkinson's New Zealand

While we hike Te Araroa, we're going to be fundraising for Parkinson's New Zealand. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition. It is caused by insufficient quantities of dopamine - a chemical in the brain.

My incredible dad, David, was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2007. Since then, he and my amazingly supportive mum, have managed to live a pretty fantastic life. They most certainly have not let his diagnosis hold them back. They moved to the UK after the 2011 earthquakes, then spent eight years working there as pet-sitters, travelling all over the place in their little Fiat Punto.

When they moved home in 2019, they received amazing support from Parkinson's New Zealand, as they faced new challenges and made plans for the future.

Parkinson's New Zealand have a team of Nurses who work with people with Parkinson's and their families, providing advice and liaising with health professionals. They also run amazing support groups.