Ride for AFENPAL
Donation protected
Hello Lovely People,
We are planning to embark on a 2,400 km Sponsored Bike Ride on the 16th February 2019 to raise much needed funds for a small Association (AFENPAL) in Almendralejo Southern Spain.
AFENPAL (Asociacion de Familiares y Enfermos de Parkinson de Almendralejo) gives help, support and limited rehabilitation therapies to people with Parkinson’s Disease which is a degenerative and non-curable disease of the central nervous system, whilst also including and supporting their families.
AFENPAL was born through the strength and determination of one woman, Joaquina Cortes. Following her husband’s diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease in 2008, Joaquina found that there was no-where that offered any level of support for people suffering with PD in her home town, and also that there were absolutely no rehabilitation treatments available that were financed by their National Health System.
Desperately wanting to get support for her husband Juan, and also wanting to help improve the quality of life for the many others she had now discovered had Parkinson’s in Almendralejo, Joaquina Cortes decided she had to do something.
She started by going to her local Council Offices and refused to leave for a whole week until she eventually won the attention of her local authority. But it was not until 2010 that she was granted use of a room in a house – In many ways it was far from suitable – it was very small but it gave them ‘a space’ in which to meet and support each other; they got a small amount of exercise equipment and did basic rehabilitation. They raised money by making paper flowers and preparing filled bread rolls, and then selling them. Joaquina became the President of their small Association, a position now held by Sinforiano Pacha (himself a Parkinson’s sufferer), with several members and some of their relatives forming the board of Directors.
In 2017 they moved to a far more suitable building where they have more space, although they are only able to afford a Psychologist for 2 hours per week and a Physiotherapist/Speech Therapist for 1-2 hours per week, with all other activities and workshops done on a voluntary basis.
We felt honoured to be invited to the official opening day of their new centre when we were visiting one of our past English language students Maria (we are a Host Family). We met her amazing family, and her mother Pilar who has Parkinson’s Disease attends AFENPAL.
What they do at AFENPAL with so little funds is a testament to all who fought to make it happen, and all who helped it grow. The sense of community; the support, commitment and dedication to helping and enriching the lives of not only the people with PD, but also their families, was truly touching and inspiring.
It impacted on us so hugely that a continual nagging feeling (that wouldn’t leave us) of wanting to do something to help them has now evolved into us planning this 2,400 km Sponsored Cycle Ride, from our front door in Bournemouth England to the door of AFENPAL in Almendralejo Southern Spain!!
Every single penny you donate will go to this underfunded, but so very deserving Charity……And it WILL make a difference. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Help Us to Help Them.
For more information on the Asociacion de Familiares y Enfermos de Parkinson de Almendralejo please go to their Facebook page..
We Thank You So Very Very Much.
NICKY & STEVE X
We are planning to embark on a 2,400 km Sponsored Bike Ride on the 16th February 2019 to raise much needed funds for a small Association (AFENPAL) in Almendralejo Southern Spain.
AFENPAL (Asociacion de Familiares y Enfermos de Parkinson de Almendralejo) gives help, support and limited rehabilitation therapies to people with Parkinson’s Disease which is a degenerative and non-curable disease of the central nervous system, whilst also including and supporting their families.
AFENPAL was born through the strength and determination of one woman, Joaquina Cortes. Following her husband’s diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease in 2008, Joaquina found that there was no-where that offered any level of support for people suffering with PD in her home town, and also that there were absolutely no rehabilitation treatments available that were financed by their National Health System.
Desperately wanting to get support for her husband Juan, and also wanting to help improve the quality of life for the many others she had now discovered had Parkinson’s in Almendralejo, Joaquina Cortes decided she had to do something.
She started by going to her local Council Offices and refused to leave for a whole week until she eventually won the attention of her local authority. But it was not until 2010 that she was granted use of a room in a house – In many ways it was far from suitable – it was very small but it gave them ‘a space’ in which to meet and support each other; they got a small amount of exercise equipment and did basic rehabilitation. They raised money by making paper flowers and preparing filled bread rolls, and then selling them. Joaquina became the President of their small Association, a position now held by Sinforiano Pacha (himself a Parkinson’s sufferer), with several members and some of their relatives forming the board of Directors.
In 2017 they moved to a far more suitable building where they have more space, although they are only able to afford a Psychologist for 2 hours per week and a Physiotherapist/Speech Therapist for 1-2 hours per week, with all other activities and workshops done on a voluntary basis.
We felt honoured to be invited to the official opening day of their new centre when we were visiting one of our past English language students Maria (we are a Host Family). We met her amazing family, and her mother Pilar who has Parkinson’s Disease attends AFENPAL.
What they do at AFENPAL with so little funds is a testament to all who fought to make it happen, and all who helped it grow. The sense of community; the support, commitment and dedication to helping and enriching the lives of not only the people with PD, but also their families, was truly touching and inspiring.
It impacted on us so hugely that a continual nagging feeling (that wouldn’t leave us) of wanting to do something to help them has now evolved into us planning this 2,400 km Sponsored Cycle Ride, from our front door in Bournemouth England to the door of AFENPAL in Almendralejo Southern Spain!!
Every single penny you donate will go to this underfunded, but so very deserving Charity……And it WILL make a difference. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Help Us to Help Them.
For more information on the Asociacion de Familiares y Enfermos de Parkinson de Almendralejo please go to their Facebook page..
We Thank You So Very Very Much.
NICKY & STEVE X
Organizer
Steve Parry
Organizer
England
