Walking for a Cause: Georgia’s Inspiring Effort to Support Parkinson’s UK
Hear the story of our Care Professional, Georgia, and her commitment to awareness of Parkinson's.
This October, one of our dedicated carers, Georgia, has taken on a great challenge — walking 60 miles in support of Parkinson’s UK. Her motivation comes straight from the heart: through her role as a Home Instead Care Professional, Georgia supports a client living with Parkinson’s, and she’s seen first-hand the daily challenges that come with the condition — not only for those affected, but for their families too.
Walking with Purpose
Each day this month, Georgia laced up her trainers and set out on another walk — often joined by her six-year-old daughter and their energetic dalmatian. “I do a charity walk every year,” Georgia explains, “but this time, Parkinson’s UK felt like the right choice. There’s still so little understanding about Parkinson’s, and I wanted to do something to raise awareness and show my support.”
A Deeper Understanding of Parkinson’s
Georgia has been working with her client, who lives with Parkinson’s, since February. Over that time, she has developed a close working relationship with both the client and their wife, offering respite care and practical support. The experience has given her a profound appreciation for the strength and resilience of people living with the condition — and of the carers who support them.
“Many people think Parkinson’s is just about tremors,” Georgia says, “but there’s so much more to it. It affects mobility, muscle control, and even facial expression. Sometimes people misread the ‘clown face’ symptom — they might think someone looks sad or unfriendly, when in fact it’s just the muscles not responding.”
She also describes how Parkinson’s can cause “freezing,” where movement suddenly stops, and how medication can make a remarkable difference — sometimes restoring mobility within minutes.
Supporting Innovation and Awareness
Georgia is passionate about spreading awareness of the tools and therapies that can make life easier for people with Parkinson’s. One example she shares is the Beech Band, a device that helps stimulate the nervous system to maintain rhythm and reduce freezing episodes. Parkinson’s UK is currently trialling this device, giving people the chance to experience its benefits first hand.
Beyond fundraising, Georgia’s walk is a symbol of empathy and solidarity. Every mile represents the effort and determination shown daily by people living with Parkinson’s — and by Care Professionals like her, who go the extra mile in every sense.
Georgia hopes her story will encourage others to learn more about Parkinson’s and support organisations like Parkinson’s UK, which provide vital resources not only for those diagnosed, but also for their families and carers.
“It’s about raising awareness as much as raising money as I can for vital research” she says. “The more people understand, the more compassion and support we can offer.”
If you’d like to support Georgia’s challenge, click here to contribute to her fundraising efforts for Parkinson’s UK.