Woman with Parkinson’s raises £40,000 for charity

A woman has raised more than £40,000 for charity in the decade since being told she had Parkinson’s.

Leah Forster, from Northallerton, was diagnosed with the condition in 2014 and wanted to do something positive.

Her fundraising activities for Parkinson’s UK have included riding a zip wire and a recent event so her family and friends joined by Emmerdale actor Chris Chittell, whose soap character has Parkinson’s, and comedian Jason Manford.

“It showed me how much love and support I have,” she said. “I couldn’t have come this far without the kindness of my friends and family.”

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.

Ms Forster was diagnosed at 42 and said after the initial shock decided to do something positive and started fundraising to raise awareness of Parkinson’s especially in younger people.

She said her diagnosis had been “totally unexpected” and although devastating that day had changed her life for the better.

Her numerous fundraising activities over the last decade include coffee mornings, fashion shows and zip wiring off a bridge.

Comedian Jason Manford made a surprise visit to one of her events in September and she said she “still smiles about it” and it was “awesome”.

She described the people who have supported her as “amazing and generous people who’ve helped” her along the way.

The mother-of-two added: “It’s been a roller coaster, lots of tears but mainly lots of laughter.”

Ms Forster was also honoured with an invitation to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party, where she and her husband celebrated Parkinson’s UK’s 50th anniversary.

Reflecting on the experience, she said: “I cried when I walked through the gates, I was so proud to be there.”

Ms Forster added: “I cannot express how grateful and overwhelmed I have felt over the past ten years. While I’d rather not have Parkinson’s, I wouldn’t change the amazing people I’ve met and the difference we’ve made together.”

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