Oldbury company completes charity hike for Cure Parkinson’s

Employees from Syensqo were inspired to support Cure Parkinson's following the diagnosis of their colleague, engineer Gary Blackham, with the condition last year.

In preparation for the challenging walk, the team did practice walks around the scenic South Wales route.

For Mr Blackham, living with Parkinson's affected his mobility, so he embarked on a routine of regular exercise, including sessions on an exercise bike, Tai Chi, and joining a Parkinson's walking football team.

He said: "Leading up to the challenge was a real motivator to get as fit as I could.

"Although Parkinson's presented additional challenges, on the whole I really enjoyed the hike.

He added that he was glad to be part of a brilliant team and that 12 months earlier he would have doubted it.

The team started their journey from Whitesands Bay near St David's, in perfect weather conditions.

The weather went downhill after lunch, however their determination did not falter.

Rain started after lunch, but that did not stop the team (Image: Cure Parkinson’s)

The Syensqo team said: "The scenery was beautiful from start to finish, and although we all finished with tired legs and wet feet, the feeling at the end was of a job well done!"

Mr Blackham said: "Parkinson's is really personal to me as someone with the condition, but also because my father was diagnosed approximately 10 years ago and I've witnessed the impact this dreadful condition has had on our family’s lives.

Finish line at Broad Haven (Image: Cure Parkinson’s)

Sophie Priestley, head of philanthropy at Cure Parkinson’s, said: "Our corporate partners play a key role in helping to fund our groundbreaking Parkinson’s research.

"Without fundraising support we are unable to continue our research with the aim to slow, stop or ultimately reverse the progression of Parkinson’s, so every donation brings us closer to our goal."