Alistair Campbell has battled Parkinson's Disease for 16 years, but has used his experience to help fellow sufferers in Darlington. In 2005, he was named the town's volunteer of the year. Olivia Richwold meets him.

For someone with Parkinson's Disease Alistair Campbell appears very young.

Mr Campbell, who is 62-years-old, soon shatters the stereotype image of someone with Parkinson's as he discusses his long-distance running and cycling.

Almost four years ago he founded the Darlington Parkinson's Disease Society - so people with the condition could socialise and share their experiences.

Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition which primarily affects movement. It causes tremors, slowness of movement and muscle rigidity. It can reduce grown men to drinking through straws and some people are so embarassed by the symptoms that they feel unable to leave the house.

Mr Campbell said: "In 2002 I stumbled and heard someone say 'it must be drugs'. These days I bring conversations round to Parksinson's quite quickly because otherwise it can be embarrassing."

Mr Campbell was 46 when he was diagnosed with the disease but feels lucky that, in his case, progression has been slow and only affects his walking.

He said: "My first symptom was that I started tripping on next to nothing. My wife Pat said 'pick your feet up'.

"I have difficulty starting off walking. It is okay walking straight, but if I am walking across High Row, I have to plan my route because if I stop, if there is someone in the way, I panic that I might not be able to start again.

"If I stop, I try to latch on to somebody else who is walking and tell my left leg to go forward, then my right leg. The funny thing is, I have no problem moving backwards and sideways."

Amazingly, Parkinson's has not stopped him running and cycling to raise money for charity. In 2002 he did the coast-to-coast cycle ride from Whitehaven to Tynemouth and in 2004 and last year he did the Great North Run.

There are about 100 members of the Parkinson's Disease Society in Darlington and about 30 go along to regular meetings, where the motto is "you are not alone, don't suffer in silence".

"I'm renowned at meetings for my sense of humour, I try to make people relaxed," said Mr Campbell, a former company director who has four grandchildren.

"A lot of people don't want to come to meetings because they are frightened that they will see how they are going to turn out. But you can't die from Parksinson's.

"You talk to others who know what it is like to get stuck on High Row and nobody looks at you. Meetings are invaluable."

Mr Campbell attends monthly Parkinson's clinics at Darlington Memorial Hospital, where he is available to talk to. He also visits sufferers in their own homes.

He thinks there are 400 people with Parkinson's Disease in Darlington alone.

Mr Campbell admits that it is easy to give in.

He said: "I don't blame people for thinking I am on drugs, because I do look like I am.

"Some people stop looking after themselves, but it is so easy to lie down and give in.

"Three years ago I bought a wheelchair because I felt I would need it. I haven't used it yet. Even if I do finish up in a wheelchair, the way I look at it is that I can still get around.

"A lot of people have told me I am an inspiration, but I just feel very lucky," he said.

The next meeting of the Darlington Parkinson's Disease Society will be on Wednesday, January 11, 2pm to 4pm in The Hall, Carmel Convent, Nunnery Lane. Everyone is welcome. Mr Campbell can be contacted on 07787 133161.