AN OTLEY man has taken to the skies to raise money for a charity close to his heart.

Richard Parkin completed a wing walk for Parkinson’s UK at Breighton Airfield, in East Yorkshire, in September.

The 56 year old - who is living with Parkinson’s disease - was strapped to the top wing of a bi-plane and, at 500 feet up, flew at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour for ten minutes.

The challenge has raised £4,030 to support the work of Parkinson’s UK.

Richard was diagnosed with the condition in May, 2015 and manages his symptoms, which include tremors, stiffness, a loss of smell and quiet voice, through medication.

He said: “Being strapped to the top wing of a bi-plane 500 feet up in the bright blue skies over God’s Own County was surreal.

“If there is a better way to spend a Sunday morning then I’d love to hear about it.

“It was like a rollercoaster ride, just a bit higher than normal!

“I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of friends and family with the donations I have received.

“It’s a cause close to my heart and I wanted to do my bit to raise money for the research the charity is investing in to find a cure for Parkinson’s.

“Thank you to everyone who has donated.”

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world and currently there is no cure.

The disease affects about 145,000 people in the UK, including 11,426 in Yorkshire and the Humber.

And one in 37 people who are alive today in the UK will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in their lifetime.

There are over 40 symptoms which can include:

*Muscle stiffness

*Tremors

*A slowing down of movement and the gradual loss of spontaneous activity

*Changes in walking pattern, posture, speech and handwriting

Head of Regional Fundraising at Parkinson’s UK, Katherine Bartrop, said: “Nobody should have to face Parkinson’s alone - or without hope that one day we’ll find better treatments and a cure.

“That’s why we’re so grateful for the continued support from our amazing fundraisers like Richard.

“Their efforts during this difficult time help us keep our vital support services and research programmes going.

“Without their support, nothing we do would be possible.”

Richard can still be sponsored at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/parkyswingwalk.

More details on how to raise money for Parkinson’s UK, meanwhile, can be found at parkinsons.org.uk/fundraising.

Parkinson’s UK is the largest charitable funder of Parkinson’s research in Europe.