Two fundraising events are being planned in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge today (Saturday, September 15th) to support a Parkinson’s charity.
John Thatcher, who suffers from the disease, is organising a sponsored truck pull at The Lighthouse Inn in Burnham at 3pm in which over 40 people are already signed up to take part.
This will be followed at 7.30pm on the same day by a night of music and comedy at the Oak Tree Arena in Highbridge, all in aid of the Movers and Shakers charity which wants to find a cure for Parkinsons.
Among the performers who will entertain at the event are comedian Buster and music group Ping and I, Soul Rhymaz and others.
Tickets for the music evening cost £7.50 each and are available from Unique Hair in Burnham’s College Street and Burnham Tourist Information Centre on the seafront or online here.
John told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “You are more likely to suffer from Parkinson’s disease or Multiple Sclerosis, which has a similar effect, than you are from any of the many forms of cancer.”
“Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, debilitating, condition with no cure and MS is a debilitating condition with no cure. Neither of these conditions will kill you directly, they just slowly reduce your ability to function until you are totally reliant on others so, in other words, you are in a living hell.”
“There is very little public funding for research into cures for these conditions. I am determined to fight to find a cure until I am no longer capable of fighting and will do almost anything for this cause. I have skydived, I have even applied to appear on ‘The Cube’, which relies on dexterity and reactions that I no longer possess, in order to raise money.”
Together with family and friends, I am fundraising for a very exciting new trial [being carried out in Bristol], that offers great hope of a cure
Local people wishing to take part, buy tickets or help at the evening event, can contact John on 07989-241003 or by email at jt@thatco.co.uk. To support John’s fundraising, click here.
