Family of North Yorkshire farmers raise almost £20k for charity

Ian Pickering, 59, and a group of eight family members from Thackside Farm in Goathland completed the challenge in just four days in June.

The family - who called themselves Team P - took on the challenge because their dad, Aidan Pickering, lived with Parkinson’s for over eight years and died this March, 10 months after losing his wife of 60-years, Dot.

Ian said: “Mum died in June last year, she was the cornerstone of our family and was loved by many because of her laughter and friendship to all.

"She had been caring for dad since he was diagnosed with Parkinson's and this became part of her daily life, but it was exhausting, and as a consequence, her physical and mental health began to suffer and she became unwell.”

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure.

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It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and every hour two more people are diagnosed.

Aidan and Dorothy (Image: Team P)

Ian said: “After mum’s passing, dad struggled with the grief of losing his life companion, friend and wife, and sadly he passed away in March 2022.

"We wanted to do something in my parents' memory, and that’s when we thought of completing a coast to coast challenge.

“The challenge was difficult to organise because we are all farmers so we had to find a date that worked between lambing sheep and harvesting crops, but we were determined to make it work.”

So far, the family have raised an incredible £19,500 and said that their parents would be ‘honoured’ by the amount raised in their memory.

Ian said: “We hope that through this challenge we help build a better understanding and awareness of Parkinson’s, and also help other families who are going through what we have.”

To sponsor Team P for Parkinson’s visit their Go Fund Me page.

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