Beginning with a relay swim around the Isle of Wight this week and ending with a hike up Mount Snowdon in September, Peter, Allan and Ben from Sussex – who all live with Parkinson’s – will be taking on these epic challenges as part of the Big Tri: a unique, triathlon-style event organised by fundraising and Parkinson’s support group Positively Parkinson’s.
The Big Tri will involve a Big Swim, Big Bike and Big Hike, all to raise funds for the charity Cure Parkinson’s and awareness of the condition.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2017, Peter Burns co-founded Positively Parkinson’s with Neurological Physiotherapist Vicky Knight and was joined by Allan Coe with the aim of raising awareness of Parkinson’s as a condition and to face new challenges with a positive outlook.
As Peter explained:
“Parkinson’s is frequently associated with the physical symptoms of shakes, tremors and slowness, but often almost unrecognised is the mental symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Like an iceberg, it isn’t what you see on the surface but what is going on underneath which has the greatest impact.”
“To find a cure for Parkinson’s is the future, which is the ultimate destination. However it is also important to support those living with the condition now, who are on that journey and to demonstrate what can be achieved with a positive mindset.”
This was illustrated in September 2021 when a team of 12 Positively Parkinson’s swimmers raised over £47,000 by swimming to the Isle of Wight across the Solent, 1 of the nation’s busiest shipping lanes.
Having previously swum to the Island, the 2023 Swim Challenge is now to swim around the Isle of Wight. The team are aiming to begin the swim tomorrow (Thursday 20th July), depending on weather.
Swimming, and exercise in general, can be greatly beneficial in helping with the many symptoms of Parkinson’s and is practised regularly by the three team members with Parkinson’s. Ben McEwan said:
“I was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s in the late summer of 2021. Swimming has been a big help to my physical and mental wellbeing and I’m looking forward to being part of the challenge of swimming around the Isle of Wight.”
The Positively Parkinson’s Big Tri Swim comprises 10 swimmers from across the UK who have come together as a team to swim the 65 miles around the Island in a relay. The swim is likely to take 24 to 36 hours with swimmers rotating every hour. The team is supported by Chloë McCardel, the World Record holder for 44 English Channel Solo Swims and her boat the Channel Queen.
Vicky Knight said:
“Swimming around the Isle of Wight in a team relay is going to be a test of endurance and team spirit. Together we have created a community and it is great to be part of a new team with everyone playing their part and coming together to take on bigger challenges to raise awareness and funds for Cure Parkinson’s.”
The epic swim around the Island will be followed by a bike ride of more than 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’ Groats and will in turn be followed by a hike up Mount Snowdon in September.
If you’re feeling inspired by the Positively Parkinson’s Big Tri you can even organise your own Big Tri challenge by visiting https://cureparkinsons.org.uk/2023/06/positively-parkinsons-return-with-the-big-tri-2023/.
If you would like to donate to Positively Parkinson’s Big Tri visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/positively-parkinsons-big-tri.
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