Pizza for Parkinson’s Day helps raise £23,000 for Parkinson’s UK

Europe

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 7 June 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

_Domino's and Parkinson's UK fundraiser lead

Domino’s Pizza stores took part in a UK-wide fundraiser, giving 5p from every pizza sold to Parkinson’s UK

Domino’s Pizza stores across the UK took part in ‘Pizza for Parkinson’s Day’ which pledged 5p from every pizza sold to Parkinson’s UK.

The fundraising idea was developed by John Shedden, the owner of Full House Restaurants Holdings Ltd, a franchise of 43 Domino’s Pizza stores, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2016, aged 69. Full House’s fundraising team aims to raise £100,000 for the Parkinson’s UK research campaign, ‘We Won’t Wait’.

John explains: “My diagnosis was a shock to me and my family – like it is for so many. This new campaign by Parkinson’s UK gives people like me hope. A cure would stop me fearing the future – I won’t let customers wait for pizza, so why am I waiting for a cure?”

In addition to the ‘Pizza for Parkinson’s Day’ – which raised over £9,000 from the sale of 188,000 pizzas – 83 members of Domino’s Pizza staff raised £14,000 by trekking up Mount Snowdon in May.

Ian Savage, corporate relationships manager at Parkinson’s UK said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of Domino’s Pizza Group – collectively raising over £23,000 in one week is an absolutely staggering accomplishment, and will have an enormous impact on our research into Parkinson’s. We can’t thank them enough.”

Sonia Kaur, national assistant brand and campaign manager at Domino’s, added: “It was an absolute pleasure working with the team at Parkinson’s UK – knowing our fundraising will make such a contribution towards finding a cure for Parkinson’s was a huge motivator for staff.”

We Won’t Wait

To coincide with World Parkinson’s Day 2017, Parkinson’s UK launched ‘We Won’t Wait’, an initiative highlighting the lack of progress since the condition was discovered 200 years ago. The campaign followed on from the charity’s international campaign to raise awareness, #uniteforparkinsons.

Lead image credit: Graham Kempster

Every step counts: New York Unity Walk raises more than $1m for Parkinson’s

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Perspectives

‘Which Way Up’: documentary following painter John McLean

UK screening of film about painter with Parkinson’s, John McLean

Women and Parkinson’s: “My medication only works three weeks out of four”

An honest account of menstruation, medication and symptoms

Reimagining Parkinson’s healthcare: a patient-focused plan

A recent report suggests eight ways to improve Parkinson’s treatment

Survey highlights seven walking strategies for Parkinson’s disease

Did you know there are strategies designed to help people with Parkinson’s cope with walking difficulties? A survey from researchers at Radboud University Medical Centre, the Netherlands, suggests that many people with the condition might not be aware of seven key strategies – which include internal and external cueing, visualising movement and practising relaxation techniques. Of the 4,324 people surveyed, 17% hadn’t heard of any of the strategies listed, while 23% of participants had never tried them. The study also offered insights into how well the techniques worked in different contexts. For example, participants found visualising movement more effective when walking outdoors than when walking in a smaller space. “We found that people are rarely educated about all the different compensation strategies,” explained study author Anouk Tosserams. “When they are, people often find strategies that work better for them and their unique circumstances.”

Marjoram tea may reduce non-motor symptoms and depression in Parkinson’s disease

Researchers in Tunisia have found that drinking marjoram tea daily may help reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. As part of a small study, the team recruited 60 people with Parkinson’s who used antiparkinsonian medication. Half of the group were assigned to drink marjoram tea and the other half a placebo tea, every night for 30 days. During the study period, participants maintained their usual diet, physical activity and medication. The researchers used the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Beck Depression Inventory and Non-motor Symptoms Scale to assess changes in the participants’ motor and non-motor symptoms, and depression. The results showed that marjoram tea may significantly reduce non-motor symptoms and depression in Parkinson’s, while improvement of motor symptoms “may need an extended treatment period”. The study’s authors added: “More research with a large number of participants and lasting longer than one month is needed to argue these findings”.

Virtual reality: exercise therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

US researchers are developing immersive virtual reality (VR) games as exercise therapy for people with Parkinson’s disease. Designed by a team at Virginia Commonwealth University, the games aim to address motor symptoms and encourage movement. “The idea is to have something where you’re motivated and engaged, and you can put this headset on and work out anytime,” said research lead Professor James S Thomas. The team invited people with Parkinson’s to test the technology at a showcasing event. Wearing a VR headset, participants used handheld controllers to play games that called for swatting and scooping motions at different speeds. One participant reported: “I can definitely see the value in these games.” The researchers hope to create a lower-cost version of the VR system that can be used independently. “We’re trying to get you to move your body in a way that will help you maintain your quality of life,” said…

All fields required

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Country of residence*
About me*
- I have Parkinson's disease
- I am a partner / carer / family / friend of someone who has Parkinson's
- I am a healthcare professional with an interest in Parkinson's
- I work for a Parkinson's disease organisation
- Other
CAPTCHA
*
- By proceeding you agree to our
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Pizza for Parkinson’s Day helps raise £23,000 for Parkinson’s UK

Europe

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 7 June 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Perspectives

‘Which Way Up’: documentary following painter John McLean

Women and Parkinson's

Women and Parkinson’s: “My medication only works three weeks out of four”

Special reports

Reimagining Parkinson’s healthcare: a patient-focused plan

Survey highlights seven walking strategies for Parkinson’s disease

Marjoram tea may reduce non-motor symptoms and depression in Parkinson’s disease

Virtual reality: exercise therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

{title}

Subscribe

Pizza for Parkinson’s Day helps raise £23,000 for Parkinson’s UK

Europe

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 7 June 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Perspectives

‘Which Way Up’: documentary following painter John McLean

Women and Parkinson's

Women and Parkinson’s: “My medication only works three weeks out of four”

Special reports

Reimagining Parkinson’s healthcare: a patient-focused plan

Survey highlights seven walking strategies for Parkinson’s disease

Marjoram tea may reduce non-motor symptoms and depression in Parkinson’s disease

Virtual reality: exercise therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in