POSITIVITY has helped one dale couple come to terms with living with a degenerative neurological disorder.
Anthony Page, 67, of Wind Mill, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a degenerative neurological condition which affects about 145,000 people in the UK, five years ago. But rather than be defeated he and his wife Susan, 69, have found a new lease of life – fundraising.
The couple along with an army of friends have spent the past five months planning and organising a village fete to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK, a leading charity supporting those with condition. The fete will be held at their home in Wind Mill on Saturday, June 23. Mrs Page said: “It’s all about positivity. This is what we do now [fundraising].”
Before his diagnosis Mr and Mrs Page ran a successful staff clothing company in Shildon. But they have since sold the business and retired.
“We’ve received so much help and assistance from Parkinson’s UK and this is about giving something back,” said Mr Page, who hopes the event will raise about £3,000.
One of the main attractions of the fete is a raffle, which has over 100 prizes. The star prize is a designer Mulberry ‘Chester’ handbag worth more than £1,000.
“We’ve been amazed at the generosity of people who’ve donated prizes,” said Mr Page, who believes it is because everyone knows someone who has been affected by Parkinson’s. Already just under 2,000 of the 3,000 tickets printed have been sold but there are some still available.
Other top prizes include a one night stay in a suite at The Witchery in Edinburgh, an overnight stay for two in the Hope St Hotel, in Liverpool, and afternoon tea for two at the The Goring Hotel, in London. The fete will have artisan crafts, a tombola, plant stall, as well as children’s games. Local businesses Caps Off craft brewery, Weardale Cheese and The 68 Cafe will also be in attendance. There will be a Pimms and Fizz bar and live music from a local Bluegrass band. Gates open at 11am.
