My elder brother, Dom, was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in June 2018, having just turned 58. The consultant informed him, based on his symptoms, that Dom had lived unknowingly with the condition for the previous six years. Though this 'bombshell' news has had a significant impact on Dom and his family's life, he has chosen to meet the challenges that Parkinson's presents on a daily basis with gusto, good humour,  determination and courage. 

I have taken the opportunity to join Karen Darke, a GB paralympic, handcycling gold medalist in Rio 2016 on her most recent adventure, The Continental Way. Karen will be handcycling 1250 km from Roscoff in northern France to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain over a period of 4 weeks. I have known Karen for 32 years, both before and since the rock climbing accident that left her paralysed from the chest down at the age of 21. She is one of the most inspirational and extraordinary human beings I have had the privilege to get to know in both my teaching career and personal life. (Read more about Karen's extraordinary life at www.karendarke.com ).

I will be cycling from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela, between 18 - 25th October, joining Karen for the last week of her journey. The opportunity to join Karen on one of her 'Quest 79' adventures is going to be a special experience. To be able to do so whilst raising money for Parkinson's UK and help support their mission to improve the lives of everyone affected by Parkinson's, is a way of making a small contribution to sustaining the quality of Dom's life going forward.