Parkinson’s UK has today launched the largest fundraising campaign in its history, seeking to raise £9 million over the next three years to expand access to vital nursing and healthcare support for people living with Parkinson’s across the UK.
The campaign, titled the Nurse Appeal, is a direct response to growing concerns over the availability of Parkinson’s specialist nurses, which the charity says are critical in helping people manage the progressive neurological condition.
If successful, the appeal will fund the recruitment of 25 new specialist nurses, 30 allied health professionals, six clinical fellowships, and the delivery of targeted training for healthcare providers treating Parkinson’s.
“Help When It’s Needed Most”
Announcing the appeal, Parkinson’s UK said the initiative was essential to addressing the “deep inequalities” in Parkinson’s care across the country. In many areas, patients face lengthy waits or no access at all to a Parkinson’s nurse — a situation the charity described as “unacceptable”.
Julie Dodd, the charity’s Director of Digital Transformation and Innovation, said:
“Right now, too many people with Parkinson’s are going without the specialist care they need to live well. Our Nurse Appeal is about making sure help is there when it’s needed most.”
More than 153,000 people in the UK are living with Parkinson’s — a number expected to rise sharply over the next decade. The condition can affect movement, memory, mental health and communication, and requires highly personalised, specialist care.
£4 Million Already Secured
Parkinson’s UK confirmed that £4 million has already been pledged to the campaign by major funders, including the Frank Brake Charitable Trust and the Garfield Weston Foundation. The charity is now appealing to the public and corporate partners to help raise the remaining £5 million.
Steve Ford, Chief Executive of Parkinson’s UK, said:
“This is an ambitious campaign — but one that reflects the scale of the challenge. Specialist nurses are lifelines for many people with Parkinson’s. With the right investment, we can ensure they’re there for everyone who needs them.”
The appeal also aims to support new models of care, including community outreach programmes, digital access to specialists, and nurse-led training hubs for NHS staff in Parkinson’s care.
A National Effort
The campaign will be supported by national advertising and local fundraising events, with patient stories being used to highlight the real-world impact of specialist nurse care.
The charity is urging supporters to spread the word and donate what they can to help fill what it describes as “one of the most urgent workforce gaps in modern healthcare”.
More information about the Nurse Appeal is available on the Parkinson’s UK website.
Recruitment for the 700 new roles is expected to begin in early June 2025, with MBDA encouraging applications via its official careers portal and through local employment partnerships in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
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