Newry man, Thomas McGrath, is preparing to take part in Walk for Parkinson’s Northern Ireland on Sunday 14 June, alongside his buddy Frank Smyth.
They are encouraging others to join them in supporting Parkinson’s UK’s Nurse Appeal, which is aiming to raise £9m to fund Parkinson’s nurses and other specialists.
Parkinson’s specialists are a lifeline for the 166,000 people in the UK living with Parkinson’s, but currently over 28,000 people with the condition lack access to them. The nationwide shortage in specialists plus a lack of understanding of Parkinson’s among other health and care professionals means that around 1 in 5 people with the condition are missing out on the expert care they desperately need.
Thomas and Frank both live with Parkinson’s, and met each other through their local Parkinson’s UK local group. Since that first meeting they have been a great support to one another.
Thomas explains, “I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2018, aged 56. I went along to the Newry Group of Parkinson’s UK and I was worried at the start. I thought it would be full of older people and I wouldn’t fit in. But I met Frank there and we hit it off immediately.
“Now we play table tennis every week at the Bat ‘N’ Chat organised by Parkinson’s UK and we love the exercise and the craic. We both took part in Walk for Parkinson’s in 2025 and we will absolutely be back out walking this year. It’s a great day and even though the weather didn’t play ball last year we still had a great day. It’s lovely to meet other people in the same boat as you.
“Exercise is so important and I try to walk as often as I can.”
Parkinson’s is a complex brain condition that gets worse over time. Affecting 4,400 people in Northern Ireland, it has more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety, and there is currently no cure.
Walk for Parkinson’s at Titanic Belfast will take place on Sunday 14 June, with two routes available: an accessible 1.5 mile or a 5.2 mile. These routes are flat and have a challenge rating as ‘easy’ so suitable for the whole family. It costs just £12 to sign up to Walk for Parkinson’s (under 18s go free!) and the suggested sponsorship target per person is £100.
All walkers will receive a fundraising pack with tips and advice, sponsorship forms and an exclusive Walk for Parkinson’s t-shirt to wear on the day. As well as walkers, the charity is on the look-out for volunteers to help on the day. Registration is open until Sunday 7 June, 2026.
Emma McNeill and Nicola McClure, Community Fundraisers – Northern Ireland, at Parkinson’s UK, said:
“It’s inspiring to have people like Thomas and Frank sign up to support Walk for Parkinson’s to help raise money for Parkinson’s Nurse Appeal. The funds raised will aim to raise £9 million over three years to increase the number of Parkinson’s specialists. This will give thousands of people with Parkinson’s access to the specialist care they need.
“We hope as many people as possible will come along to take part in the walk, which promises to be lots of fun. We’re also keen to hear from anyone who would be interested in volunteering to support the smooth running of the event.”
To find out more about Walk for Parkinson’s and to sign up to walk or volunteer visit: parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/walk-parkinsons or email: walk@parkinsons.org.uk
Parkinson’s UK is the charity that’s here to support every Parkinson’s journey, every step of the way. For information and support, visit parkinsons.org.uk or call the charity’s free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303.
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