Brother sets on off charity walk from Preston to London
A Preston man will set off on '˜The Big Walk' from the city Flag Market to London Tower Bridge to help raise vital funds for specialist equipment for his severely disabled brother.
Luke Parkinson has organised the charity fundraiser in aid of his brother Dean, who has profound mental and physical disabilities and requires around the clock care.
Luke hopes to raise £3000 to supply specialist ROMPA sensory equipment that will help improve Dean’s quality of life.
Luke said: “The main reason for the walk is I have just finished my foundation community degree which is all about improving communities and individual’s lives.
“My brother, mum and dad have had 34 years’ lack of sleep and I want to see if I could raise some money to improve their lives.
“I am going to do more for other individuals around Preston.”
A small team will start from Preston Flag Market this morning (August 30) and hope to finish the walk at London Tower Bridge within four days, depending on Dean, who can have up to 30 seizures a day.
The fundraiser will have a set route, making three stops at Buxton, Ashbourne and Northampton, and will involve many A roads, pushing up hills, and ‘blood, sweat and laughter.’
It is Luke’s first major fundraising event but he said plans are already in the works for a series of fundraisers to help raise awareness and funds to help other families in similar circumstances to their own.
He added: “As the walk grows closer I feel the nerves will kick in, and the painful feet too.”
To donate www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/luke-parkinson or follow their Facebook Page www.facebook.com/deltahand2016