Wigan woman to take on Walk for Parkinson’s in support of dad battling with the disease
A Wigan woman is preparing to take on Walk for Parkinson’s in Liverpool to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s UK, inspired by her dad who is living with the condition.
Vicky Walker, 39, an Assistant Manager at the British Heart Foundation, will take part in the challenge on Saturday July 18, raising money to support vital services and research for people affected by Parkinson’s.
Parkinson's is a complex brain condition that gets worse over time. It has more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety, and there is no cure. Someone is diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the UK every 20 minutes and by 2050, the number of people living with the condition worldwide will double to 25 million.
Vicky’s dad, Philip Horscraft, who also lives in Wigan, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2025, a moment that had a significant impact on the whole family.
Vicky said: “I had my suspicions about what my dad’s symptoms might be, but that didn’t make it any easier when it was confirmed. I think the fact that there is no cure is something that really scares all of us.
“The emotional side has been hard. No one tells you how difficult it is to watch your parents age, especially as an only child and with Parkinson’s added to the mix.
“My dad is an amazing artist, and while Parkinson’s has affected his ability to paint at times, he keeps going. He perseveres with everything, and we are so proud of him.”
Vicky chose to take part in Walk for Parkinson’s as a way to give back to the charity that has supported her family.
Vicky said: “Parkinson’s UK means a lot to us. It’s provided a wealth of information and support, and without it I would feel very alone as the daughter of someone with the disease.”
James Beeching, Community Fundraiser at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are so grateful to Vicky for taking on Walk for Parkinson’s and for sharing her story.
“On behalf of everyone at Parkinson’s UK, thank you to Vicky for raising awareness and helping to support people affected by Parkinson’s.”
So far, Vicky has raised over £250. To support Vicky and make a donation, visit: https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraisers/victoriawalker?fbclid=IwdGRjcARggw9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeFrAhgcRstaoOuOau-J1SGEq7aT8YyEvGTYBz6BpFXLfoacL32xDa4rZPYis_aem_gg1XLUrcYwQ53r4MuDhDrA