Local friends walk the Goring Gap, raising over £1,500 for Parkinson’s UK

A group of friends have walked the Goring Gap, a riverside ramble, and raised £1,500 for Parkinson’s UK.

Lynwen and Paul Hardaker from Reading were accompanied by Ali and Jes Sharpe from  Wallingford, and took just over five hours to scale the challenge, organised by the Rambling Association.

The group was inspired to raise money for the charity in support of their friend, Colette, who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

Lynwen Hardaker, said: “Our good friend, Colette Wood, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020 at the age of 58. She is committed to managing her condition by exercising to try to help control her symptoms. We have greatly admired her determination and for this reason, we wanted to do something to support her situation.”

Colette said: “I am incredibly grateful to Lynwen, Paul, Ali and Jes, along with the group for their kindness, support, and commitment to undertaking the Goring Gap walk to raise funds and increase awareness of Parkinson's.

“Parkinson's UK is a charity very close to my heart. I greatly appreciate that Lynwen, Paul Ali, and Jes generously gave their time to both gain sponsorship and undertake the walk. I value their friendship and support both now and in the future which I know I will need as my condition progresses.”

Melissa Rankin, Community fundraising Manager South, Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are so grateful to Lynwen, Paul Ali and  Jes for taking on this great challenge for Parkinson’s UK.”