A HAMPSHIRE man is urging people to join the battle against Parkinson’s disease by taking part in a sponsored walk which aims to fund vital research.

The Walk for Parkinson’s event is being staged on Father’s Day - Sunday, June 16 - as part of a nationwide attempt to find better treatments and a cure for the condition.

Kevin Gregory, 51, of Fordingbridge, will be walking in memory of his father.

He said: “My dad lived with Parkinson’s for 12 years before passing away earlier this year after a short illness.

“I’m well aware of the day-to-day struggles that people with Parkinson’s experience. I can no longer do anything for dad, but maybe by raising a bit of money I can contribute to helping others.

“I’ll be walking with my partner, whose father has Parkinson’s too. It will be great to mark Father’s Day by walking for our dads.”

The event - in Bournemouth - is among 45 across the UK which are set to raise more than £600,000 for Parkinson’s UK.

Parkinson’s is a neurological condition named after Dr James Parkinson, who identified the disease in 1817.

People develop Parkinson’s following the loss of nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary movements.

The cells usually produce a chemical which helps send messages from the brain to the rest of the body. As the cells die the messages stop being transmitted efficiently.

To sign up to the walk go online and visit parkinsons.org.uk/walkdorset19.