As a Liverpool FC fan, the title of Gerry Marsden’s 1960’s hit, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” has always carried weight. At Anfield, it’s a roar of solidarity and support for the community. But as a person living with Parkinson’s, this anthem has taken on a new, more literal significance.
Parkinson’s is now the fastest-growing neurological condition on the planet, outpacing even Alzheimer’s. With an estimated 12 million people affected worldwide, those of us in the global Parkinson’s community—and the families who support us—will, both figuratively and often literally, never walk alone.
The Mission: London to Oxford
On Sunday May 31st, over 20 riders from the Balls to Parkinson’s Cycling Club will pedal 113km from the Royal Hospital Chelsea to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
This inaugural “Blooming Parkinson’s Garden Ride” isn’t just about the miles. The route symbolises the journey of the Parkinson’s UK garden, “A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey,” as it moves from its debut at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to its permanent home in Oxford.
Designed by award-winning garden designer and BBC presenter Arit Anderson, the garden was inspired by her sister’s recent diagnosis. It is designed to be a sanctuary—a place where, for a few moments, the constant challenges of the disease can be forgotten.
With several of the Balls to Parkinson’s Cycling Club diagnosed with the condition, the ride not only symbolises the journey physically of the garden but the long route and challenging climb over the Chilterns, should serve as a reminder of the uphill struggle faced by those 12M with the disease every day.
If you remember anything from our efforts, then remember these numbers:
- #1: Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological disease globally.
- 166,000: The approximate number of people living with the disease in the UK.
- 20 Minutes: How often someone in the UK is diagnosed (approx. 28,000 people per year).
- 1 in 16: The number of people diagnosed who are under the age of 50.
A Space for Reflection
As a centre of excellence for research and treatment, the JR is the perfect final resting place for Arit’s garden. It will provide a vital resource for the community—a space to find peace amid the “new normal.”
As the B2P team whooshes past you on May 31st, I hope you think of the garden and the sanctuary it provides. But more than that, I hope you remember those numbers and the message behind them: When you have Parkinson’s, you’ll never walk alone.
Balls to Parkinson’s 