Students launch fundraising drive

STUDENTS have launched an ambitious fundraising drive to help support those living with a disease which has touched the lives of many in their school community.

Ripon Grammar School head girl Zara Ali, whose grandmother Janie sadly died after suffering complications from Parkinson’s disease, is one of the driving forces behind the school’s Charity Week campaign.

Parkinson’s is one of the fastest-growing progressive neurological conditions in the world and students hope their fundraising will help support sufferers and their families alongside vital medical research projects.

Fundraising events for Parkinson’s UK - which include a fashion show, staff pantomime, fun quizzes, a DJ set, dance competitions and games – will run from October 20 to 24.

When Zara nominated Parkinson’s UK to be the beneficiary of this year’s fundraising, she discovered many other students also felt passionately about the charity.

“I’ve found through conversations with other people in my year that there are quite a few who have had close family members suffer from Parkinson’s,” said Zara, whose grandmother died last year after suffering from the disease for seven years.

“Parkinson's has a profound impact on so many families like mine, as it is incredibly difficult to watch your loved one slowly lose aspects of their personality as well as their movement and independence.

“I am excited to know our donations will help fund pioneering research projects, so that new treatments can be developed and future generations do not need to face the same challenges that we do now.

“When put to the student vote, Parkinson’s UK won by a clear majority, so I think it was very much a personal choice for sixth form students,” she said.

In addition to fundraising, the school’s student leaders, who have been speaking in assemblies about the important work the charity does, are aiming to help raise awareness about the condition.

“We feel it’s a very important charity as the disease is on the rise in the UK with around 166,000 people living with it, and someone new being diagnosed every 20 minutes,” said Zara.

“This is why it is vital that more people are educated about Parkinson's, as raising awareness allows those affected to receive the support they need,” said Zara.

The school’s student publicity officer, Amelia Collingwood-Cooper, added: “Parkinson’s UK is a bit of a different charity to ones chosen in recent years. We thought it would be a good fit this year because it is something that hits close to home for many members of the school.

“To be able to raise awareness among the young population within school means that not only can we educate people but it also means we are going to be supporting vital fundraising for medical developments around Parkinson’s which will impact our own futures as well as many others.

“We are hopeful that we can make a difference with our fundraising and are so happy to be supporting such an incredible organisation.”

*For more information on Parkinson’s UK, visit: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/