Fundraising

Would you rather: bid for a rugby shirt signed by the mysterious "Mike Tiddle", run a marathon around Loch Ness, or paraglide off the top of Mont Blanc? Those are some of the extraordinary fundraising projects undertaken in the name of Parkinson's, and that's what the Movers & Shakers are discussing in the pub today. With inspirational stories from great fundraisers as well as a look at how effective charities are – both at accumulating this money and also at spending it – this episode will make you grateful for the amazing acts of bravery (and generosity) going on around us.

By Podot

Each week Rory Cellan-Jones guides us between the laughs and moans in the pub. To read Rory's summary of this week's episode click here.

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Guest Biographies

Andy Simons

Andy has been part of the small but growing team at Cure Parkinson’s for two years working as Director of Fundraising. He has a background in marketing and fundraising spanning both commercial organisations and charities, but says he feels particularly privileged to be part of the Cure Parkinson's team because there is a single clear mission which, once achieved, will mark the end of the charity. And there's a real sense of everyone trying to race towards that as quickly as possible.

Andy works in London at the Cure Parkinson's HQ but lives on the Kent coast with his wife, teenage daughter, and two very soppy cocker spaniels.

Hugh Burnaby-Atkins

Hugh was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in early 2023 aged 55. He has worked in Financial services for more than 20 years having spent six years in the British Army. In 2006 he ran the New York marathon in memory of his father who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at the same age. He is a keen paraglider pilot, and lives in Rutland with his wife Emma and their two children. 

BBC news coverage of Hugh Burnaby-Atkins and his sons epic fundraising challenge can be found here.

Mike Tindall

Mike Tindall is a renowned, retired international Rugby Union player, having played for England, Barbarians, Bath RFC and Gloucester RFC. Mike’s premiership career spanned 17 years, joining Bath RFC at just 18 years old. Playing for England from 2000 to 2011, Mike featured as a core component of the 2003 Rugby World Cup winning squad and later went on to captain his national team. Mike was awarded an MBE in 2004 for his contribution to his sport. Since his retirement from professional rugby in 2014, Mike has played for his local amateur club, Minchinhampton RFC., and he continues to work in rugby through punditry on a range of TV and radio outlets. Mike is also one third of The Good, The Bad, The Rugby podcast and YouTube show, which is now the biggest Rugby podcast in the world. Mike’s father lives with Parkinson’s, and away from the sports field Mike is a patron of Cure Parkinson’s and has been an incredible support to the charity.

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A note from Andy Simons...

Hugh Burnaby-Atkins and Andy Simons

Cure Parkinson's was founded by four people with Parkinson's, one of whom walked the 4,500 mile coastline of Britain to raise the money that started the charity. So it has always been driven by people taking on all kinds of fundraising challenges, and by people with Parkinson's determined to fight for a cure. Walking is still a popular and accessible activity for fundraisers, but the range of ideas people have seems limitless. Cure Parkinson's patron Mike Tindall holds a celebrity golf competition and dinner each year, hundreds of people take on running, cycling, and walking challenges, including two who cycled and ran all the way to Barcelona for the last World Parkinson's Congress. There are two entrepreneurial volunteers who buy and sell on eBay and donate all their proceeds, and there is even a group of supporters who have produced an album of unique tracks, all in aid of speeding up the search for a cure.

It's more important than ever for supporters to know how their donations are making a difference, so it’s vital for charities to share this with transparency. At Cure Parkinson’s we report to the Charity Commission, produce annual and impact reports, and provide regular updates for our donors. We're also open to adapting and evolving to fit our supporters, particularly in the digital sphere. Social media has made it easier for more people to join in with fundraising challenges, and online platforms such as JustGiving help people to ask their friends to donate, which can sometimes feel awkward. We love to hear from people wanting to get involved in supporting our work to find a cure.

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