Matthew has joined up to the five-year mission of charity Parkinson’s UK to bring forward the day when no one fears Parkinson’s.

In the run up to Christmas, Parkinson’s UK is highlighting the issues faced by people with Parkinson’s - a brain condition which can leave people struggling to walk, speak and sleep - and how things need to change.

Parkinson’s affects one in 500 people in Hendon constituency and can cause a myriad of symptoms including insomnia, depression, and hallucinations, robbing people of their independence. But through more research, improved services, and empowering people with Parkinson’s to take control, their lives can be turned around.

Matthew joined follow MPs at Westminster to find out how they could get involved in Parkinson’s UK’s new approach to combating the condition. He met Parkinson’s UK president and actress Jane Asher, as well as people affected by Parkinson’s including Paul McCourt, who has had Parkinson’s for five years and said he ‘crumbled’ when he first heard his diagnosis.

Parkinson’s UK wants to see quality services as standard for the 127,000 people like Paul with Parkinson’s in the UK. They also want people with Parkinson’s to feel empowered to take control of their lives, and to take part in clinical trials in their local area to help find better treatments and a cure in years not decades.

Matthew said: “Attending Parkinson’s UK’s event, and hearing from people affected by the condition, really opened my eyes to just how severely Parkinson’s can affect people in my constituency.

“But it also brought home how small changes, across the community, can have a huge impact. I’ll be doing everything I can to support their commendable mission.” 

Parkinson’s UK Chief Executive Steve Ford said: “It’s brilliant that Matthew has signed up to help us bring forward the day when no-one fears Parkinson’s. With his support, and that of other MPs, we can turn around the lives of people with Parkinson’s."

For advice, information and support, visit www.parkinsons.org.uk or call our free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303.