A former serviceman from Margate has completed his 500-mile walk to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK.
Roy Dallaway, 87, finished the last leg of the walk in the company of around 40 people from the Laughing Barrel in Palm Bay – many of them donning Roy masks for the event!
Roy started his ‘Buckingham Palace to Balmoral’ virtual trek earlier this year and has been completing around 3 miles a day to hit his target.
The final stretch took place last Sunday and brings Roy’s fundraising total to £1257.
The cause is something Roy is passionate about. Wife Mary lost her life to Parkinson’s two-and-a-half years ago. She was diagnosed with the condition in 2014. The couple would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this year.
Roy said: “It was a lovely day, really good. About 40 people did the last mile with me and then they did a picture with the masks!”
Roy, who has been supported in his challenge by Laughing Barrel bosses Michael McColl and Alison Jarvis and the micropub’s regulars. Has previously skydived from 10,000 feet in aid of the Parkinson’s charity.
And although he aims to put his feet up for a while, another challenge could be on the horizon.
Roy said: “I’m going to have a big rest but I have been talking about wing-walking next year at Headcorn, as long as I am fit enough to get on the plane.”
Parkinson’s is now the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. In the UK there are 145,000 people with Parkinson’s. Every hour, two more people are diagnosed. There is still no cure for the condition.
Parkinson’s UK relies on people like Roy to raise awareness and money to help fund work into finding a cure for the condition.