Wirral dentist raises thousands for Parkinson’s charity after completing mammoth cycle challenge
A dentist from the Wirral raised thousands of pounds for charity this summer after completing a mammoth bike ride from Lands End to John O’Groats.
Andy Morton took on the gruelling challenge, which covers more than 1,000 miles, to raise money for Parkinson’s UK. Andy, 61, lives with the condition and wanted to raise funds for research to develop better treatments and hopefully, one day, a cure.
Andy started the 14-day challenge on August 6th hoping to raise as much money as possible and inform people about Parkinson’s. The condition is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world and it affects more than 145,000 people in the UK alone. There is no cure for Parkinson’s and despite its prevalence, many people are not aware of the signs and symptoms.
Living with Parkinson’s created additional obstacles and difficulties for Andy during the challenge. He suffers with pain in his shoulders and arms, which makes riding a bike for long periods uncomfortable. Despite the gruelling nature of the ride, Andy was determined to make it to the finish line and show that having Parkinson’s doesn’t have to stop you from doing everything you want to.
Before his diagnosis, Andy managed his own practice, Hamilton Square Dental, but he was forced to cut his career in dentistry short. He wanted to use the cycle challenge to inspire others and to prove that people living with Parkinson’s can “live a normal life as best they can.”
Andy raised more than £5,500, which he was delighted with, especially at a time when people are struggling financially. He thanked everyone who donated for their generosity and kind words during the ride.
Representatives from Parkinson’s UK described the feat as “incredible” and thanked Andy for raising vital funds and awareness of the disease, which they said, can “devastate lives.”
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