Parky Profiles: Alison Anderson
- Guest Writer
- Jul 26
- 2 min read
Our profile this week is of a Parky on a mission: Alison Anderson who is, as you listen to this episode, cycling across America to raise money for Cure Parkinson's. This isn't Alison's first marathon bike ride, she's previously zoomed across Southeast Asia, raising money and awareness. An inspiration for both her athletic endeavour and fundraising prowess, Alison is living, cycling proof that Parkinson's doesn't have to stop you in your tracks!
You can still sponsor Alison's bike ride across America – go here to send your support!
By Podot
Don't forget to sign the Parky Charter petition by going to ParkyPetition.com!
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.
A bit about Alison...
After being told she could expect 5-10 ‘good’ years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015 at the age of 46 and that exercise was key to living well with Parkinson’s, Alison retired from a 30 year career as a nurse and manager in the NHS to focus more on looking after her family and her health. She started cycling eighteen months after diagnosis and has undertaken a significant cycle challenge every year since. As ambassador for the World Parkinson Congress, she organised a team of twenty people, from around the world, half of whom were living with Parkinson’s to cycle 1,900km from Brighton on the South Coast of England to Barcelona where the Congress was held in 2023.
This year, exactly ten years after diagnosis she is cycling 4,500miles across America from the Astoria on the Pacific Coast in Oregon to Portland, Maine on the Atlantic Coast. A little over halfway, Alison is loving the adventure, enjoying the challenge and raising funds for Cure Parkinson’s a charity close to her heart and one she is a Trustee of. Alison writes a blog about living with Parkinson’s and is also writing a daily update on her progress Cycling Across America. This can be found at: www.theramblingsofacyclopath.com
