October 2025

Our latest news

York Branch committee member Mike Sullivan presented the Parky Charter Petition to regional dignitaries at the Big Sing on World Parkinson's Day last April.

Petition secures debate in parliament

MPs at Westminster are to debate better care for people with Parkinson's, after the success of the Parky Charter and petition.


Begun by the Movers and Shakers, the petition for better services gained more than 113,000 signatures. That means parliament must debate the issue.


The debate will be held on Monday 17 November. Please get in touch with your MP and ask them to support the motion for better care. You will be able to follow the debate, or pick it up later, on the Parliament TV channel.


Rugby on offer

York Knights rugby league club is offering tasters for walking rugby to our branch members. The initiative via the club’s charitable foundation is aimed at establishing regular sessions through the year.

 

Walking rugby has all the fun of the big game, but without tackling or scrums. A smaller pitch means players can keep fully involved as the ball moves around.

 

At present the tasters are open to anyone, but if there is enough demand the club could consider a Parkinson’s specific session. Some branch members have already joined in taster sessions. Just come along to the next one and give it a try! The next sessions are on 3 and 17 October and 7 November, 1-2pm, cost £6 including a hot drink. All sessions are held at the LNER Community Stadium, YO32 9AF. More information from York Knights .

 

The club is also running fish & chip Friday sessions for people to get together for lunch and a chat. The cost is from £6. You don’t need to be a player! These are held on the fourth Friday each month so the next is Friday 31 October. This one’s at York Manor Care Home, owned by Tanglewood, Shipton Road, YO30 5RA.

Celebrating our fantastic fundraisers!

It’s been a busy couple of months on the fundraising front so a big thankyou to everybody who has organised events, made donations or put in the hard yards.


Eating out

Deborah and Mike Broadhurst have a number of friends affected by Parkinson’s around the Haxby and Wigginton area and wanted to show their support. Around a hundred people attended their fundraiser at the Parvin Restaurant in Haxby in August. As well as superb food, guests enjoyed a fun quiz and raffle, raising £1,000 for York Branch. The money will support of our programme which encourages people affected by Parkinson’s to keep active and engaged.

And then Deborah and Mike went a step further (well, several steps actually) and completed the Great North Run, raising another almost £700 to support the Parkinson’s UK appeal to fund specialist nurses across the UK.


Half marathon

Also joining the 60,000 runners at the Great North Run on 8 September was popular York Branch member Andrew Miller who completed the course with his Nordic poles, supported by our walk leader Rebecca Gospodarczyk. This was a remarkable achievement and the culmination of two years of training. Andrew and Rebecca were spurred on by good wishes and generous donations from our walking footballers, Nordic walkers and PD Warriors who have all been inspired by Andrew’s determination and commitment. So far Andrew has raised over £2000 but you can still donate at https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraisers/andrewmiller32134/great-north-run

 

Walking

 

Last but not least, congratulations to committee member Mike Sullivan who completed the Walking for Parkinson’s event at Temple Newsam on 21 September. Mike has also exceeded his £1000 target after tackling the six mile course. You can still support Mike by donating at https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraisers/michaelsullivan with all proceeds supporting the Parkinson’s nurses appeal. And let’s also give a shout out to Mike’s partner Sue and PUK’s Tracy Westgarth who supported Mike on the day.

Delighted Mike and Sue are pictured crossing the finish line.

 

Time to book for Christmas lunch

Our Christmas lunch this year is on Wednesday 10 December. We're moving this time to the Novotel Hotel on Fishergate in York. The event will be every bit as good as the excellent time had by all last year.


Find all the booking details and menu here.


Start time is 12.30pm - please try to get to your seats for 12.20pm. There is limited parking at the Novotel.

Last date for booking: 30 November.

Can you help our committee?

We need people to help run the branch. Could you take up a committee role, such as membership secretary? Or perhaps you could shadow one of our committee members and help out with their work. Or maybe you could simply volunteer for one-off projects.


Any time you can spare will be a big help to keep our branch doing all the activities we offer in support of our members. Email us at info@yorkparkinsons.co.uk if you'd like to have a chat about what you might be able to offer.