Two Scottish pals have opened up about being diagnosed with Parkinson's in their early 40s in a bid to raise awareness.
Bill Bucklew was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s aged 43 after an improper diagnosis seven years before.
He had been suffering from symptoms for almost a decade before medics told him he had the illness.
Pal John, from Inverness, was also diagnosed with Parkinson's in his early 40s.
Bill tragically lost his dad Bryon to Parkinson's after he passed away last year.
In a bid to highlight the cruel condition, he planned to trek 640 miles from John O' Groats to London and raise cash for charity.
After finding out Bill had planned to take on the challenge solo, John decided to get involved and will be joining the Scottish-leg of the trek.
The pair will be setting off from John O’Groats on 14 September and will complete around 40 miles a day on the route from Scotland to London.
Speaking about his battle with the harrowing disease, Bill said: “I went improperly diagnosed for around seven years, which has made me determined to raise awareness of the condition wherever I can.
"Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, and we need to ensure that people are able to get a diagnosis and access to treatment and support as soon as possible.
“There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, but by funding promising research, we can accelerate the development of better treatments for the condition.”
John explained that he had previously retired from long-distance challenges but after hearing about Bill’s monumental walk, was inspired to help.
He said: "It will be tough, but we are both passionate about helping people with Parkinson’s on both sides of the pond to live as well as possible, while working together to find a cure for the condition.”
Since his diagnosis, Bill - a US citizen of Scottish descent - has completed a number of events to raise funds for Parkinson’s research, including the Ironman Triathlon, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and numerous marathons.
The brave adventurer added: “I was especially motivated to take on this challenge in honour of my father Byron, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s only a few years after myself. He sadly passed away in 2020 following complications related to the condition."
John will travel with Bill down through the Highlands to Inverness.
They will stop at villages along the way, before making their way to Edinburgh and then crossing over into England.
The 17-day walk will finish in Hoxton Square, London, where Parkinson’s was first established as a recognised medical condition by the surgeon and researcher James Parkinson in 1817.
Not content with walking hundreds of miles, Bill will also then take on the Virgin Money London Marathon only a few days after completing the distance.
The pair hope their combined efforts will raise £800,000 to be split between three charities: Parkinson’s UK, Cure Parkinson’s and The Michael J Fox Foundation, which is based in the USA.
Paul Jackson-Clark, director of engagement at Parkinson’s UK, stated that the charity was so grateful to Bill and John for taking on this incredible challenge for Parkinson’s UK.
He said: "Their commitment to making sure people with Parkinson’s live the best life possible, and to finding a cure, is truly inspiring.
“With more than 40 potential symptoms, Parkinson’s can devastate lives. There have been huge breakthroughs in the last 50 years, but there is still no cure and current treatments are not good enough.
"We need urgent action to drive forward research that is going to transform the lives of those living with the condition worldwide.”
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