World Parkinson's Day 2024
Once again our incredible Parkinson's community made their voices heard this World Parkinson's Day. Here’s what we achieved, together.
This year, our community came together to show the world that there isn’t one Parkinson's journey. Here are some of the highlights from the big day.
You made it blue
From St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney to the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, 172 buildings lit up blue across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England on World Parkinson's Day. That's 18 more than last year.
Our community didn't stop there though. There were blue bake sales to raise vital donations. Nails painted blue in memory of loved ones. And even dogs in blue bandanas (it was National Pet Day too on 11 April!)
You hosted a huge variety of special events, to help raise awareness of the condition and support people with Parkinson's and their families. 150 people attended an information evening in Fife. Our Bracknell, Aylesbury and Oxford branches hosted cream tea events. And people with Parkinson's showcased their art at 4 exhibitions across Wales in Caernarfon, Cardiff, Chepstow and Fishguard. Over 150 people visited the exhibitions.
There were even chances to get active. Over 4 days, more than 170 people took part in a boccia competition at different locations across Wales.
Whether you hosted a coffee morning or set up an information stand in your hospital, thank you for being there for the Parkinson's community this World Parkinson's Day.
This year we wanted to Make It Blue for #WorldParkinsonsDay 💙
Our community came together to spread awareness & make things blue. That’s because, while living with Parkinson's is challenging, one thing stands out: you're not alone.
Thank you to everyone who participated! 💙 pic.twitter.com/YUvGVWEyj8— Parkinson's UK (@ParkinsonsUK) April 12, 2024
You campaigned for the Parkinson's community
A staggering 20,464 of you signed the Parky Charter petition, which calls for more support for people with Parkinson's. On World Parkinson's Day, our CEO Caroline Rassell joined the 6 Movers and Shakers to hand the petition into 10 Downing Street.
Great to unite on World Parkinson's Day to support the @moversand6 Parky Charter with the petition supported by @ParkinsonsUK @CureParkinsonsT @SpotlightYOPD to demand equity of access to NHS services, a fairer benefits system & £ into research pic.twitter.com/VSBA5LtfuO
— Caroline Rassell (@crassell2) April 11, 2024
The Parky Charter is supported by Movers and Shakers, Parkinson's UK, Spotlight YOPD and Cure Parkinson's. Find out more about the Parky Charter.
You also reached out to your local MPs to ask them to attend our World Parkinson's Day Parliamentary drop-in briefing, with 49 MPs and peers coming along. 58 MPs shared our campaign on their social media platforms recognising that everyone's Parkinson's journey is different and calling for better support.
Your faces lit up Piccadilly Circus
Once again, thanks to a generous donation from Landsec, Parkinson's UK took over Piccadilly Lights to show London what it's like to live with Parkinson's. Our short film featured, sharing stories from 6 members of the community. Watch our short film, There Isn't One Parkinson’s Journey, on YouTube.
This year, we also invited people with Parkinson's to send us a photo of their face for a chance to be included in the lights. 140 faces lit up Piccadilly Circus. Thank you for showing how diverse the Parkinson's community is.
We're proud to be featured on the @PicLights for a second year in a row for #WorldParkinsonsDay 💙
We're shining a light on the daily lives of people with Parkinson's and their loved ones. The good. The bad. The funny. The sad. The ons. The offs. And everything in between. pic.twitter.com/8VGOzdpLBI— Parkinson's UK (@ParkinsonsUK) April 11, 2024
We also want to say a huge thank you to Smart Outdoor, who once again generously donated digital advertising space for World Parkinson's Day. For 2 weeks, 2,000 locations across Northern England and Scotland displayed the stories of 6 members of the Parkinson's community.
You raised awareness and donations
This year, we wanted to shine a light on the daily lives of people with Parkinson's and their loved ones. To show there isn't one journey. There isn't one 'day in the life'.
It's especially important that people who have no connection to Parkinson's understand what it's like to live with and care for someone with the condition. With more support, we can improve the lives of people with Parkinson's and their loved ones, by pushing for better support, new treatments, and excellent health and care.
By sharing your stories and supporting our campaigns, you helped us secure more than 700 pieces of media coverage, featuring on Morning Live, BBC Breakfast and Sky News, and in the Independent, Scottish Sun and Belfast Telegraph, to name a few.
We've also been blown away by everyone's generosity. Donations through our website increased by 119% on World Parkinson's Day and were 49% higher than World Parkinson's Day 2023. And that's not counting all the fundraisers supporters and local groups ran on 11 April. Thank you so much.
Header image credit: Chris Fenton, Octovision Media Ltd.
Inspired by World Parkinson's Day?
There are lots of ways you can help us throughout the year. From taking part in research to running a marathon, volunteering to campaigning, there's something for you.