Warwick cyclists take on 1,000 mile challenge for Parkinson’s

Katriona and Jamie Collins on Wednesday took to their saddles to begin their ‘Bottom to Butt’ challenge - from Land’s End in Cornwall to the Butt of Lewis on the Western Isles of Scotland - while Mrs Collins’ mother’s husband Eddie, who was dignosed ten years ago, is planning to take to his bike with the pair for the final 110 miles of the journey next weekend.

The team are hoping to raise £2,000 for Parkinson’s UK. They planned their route to be slightly different to the traditional Land’s End to John O’Groats to enable Eddie, who lives on the Isle of Harris, to join them.

Mrs Collins, 53, said: “Eddie really is amazing and keeps cycling against the odds, but there will come a day when his symptoms get worse and he won’t be able to get on his bike anymore.

“Parkinson’s doesn’t get as much attention as other conditions so we’re really hoping to raise awareness as well as funds for the charity.

“It is charities like Parkinson’s UK that have and will continue to support Eddie, so we want him to be able to experience our challenge with us.”

Vanessa Wakeford, West Midlands regional fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Katriona and Jamie for taking on such a massive challenge to raise vital funds to support our work. I hope they don’t get too saddle-sore cycling so many miles.

“As the UK’s Parkinson’s support and research charity, we’re leading the work to find a cure - and we’re closer than ever. But our work is totally dependent on donations.”

To sponsor Mrs Collins and her son, visit www.justgiving.com/KatrionaJamieBottomToTop

To find out more about the charity, visit www.parkinsons.org.uk