To mark World Parkinson's Day, the official charity of Sunderland AFC reflects on how Parkinson's Walking Football is making an impact on the community it serves.
Ritchie Dunning, 45, a Parkinson’s Walking Football participant at the Foundation of Light, visits the Beacon of Light each Saturday, where he engages in sport and social activity.
The avid Sunderland supporter had his own world turned upside down aged 37 following a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.
Ritchie revealed his symptoms started before his shock diagnosis, however, at the turn of the year, his condition started to worsen and have an impact on his day-to-day life. He said: “My symptoms started a couple of years before I was diagnosed.
“Now I’m well into my journey since my symptoms started and I’ve managed quite well active wise, but at the beginning of this year, I started to really feel what Parkinson’s is all about. I’ve had to take medication for it is which is really helpful.”
Recalling how he got involved in the programme, Ritchie added: “I saw an advert for Parkinson’s Walking Football so I wanted to come and support the event and get involved because I actually play walking football for a Yorkshire based team. I’m also a member of the first ever England Parkinson’s Walking Football Team.”
As well as playing the game he loves, Ritchie admits the social element of the sessions have also played an important part in helping him cope with his Parkinson’s. “After the sessions finish, we go up the classroom and have a general chit-chat, talk about how the session went and how we’re feeling generally.
“It’s just a nice social side to things and you start connecting more with people. It’s nice being around like-minded people and it doesn’t matter what your symptoms are, you’re just accepted as you are and no-one is looking at you.”
Moving forward, Ritchie is keen to see more people coming through the doors at the Beacon, encouraging the local community to give the programme a try. “These sessions are amazing. For a start, it’s exercise and exercise is key for people with Parkinson’s.
“Making new friends is big in the Parkinson’s community and hopefully these sessions will benefit everyone and hopefully we can start to get more numbers coming along.”
Jack Ramsey, Health and Wellbeing Activator, leads the walking football sessions and has witnessed first-hand the barriers Ritchie has had to overcome. “The biggest differences I see with Ritchie since he first started is his confidence and enthusiasm to make a difference, not only to his own life but also others.
“He comes to every session to get out of the house and to mix with others. Considering he’s from Hartlepool, this is a big commitment from him. He's improving with every week, not only physically but mentally as well.”
Around 10 million people have the condition worldwide – that's less than one percent of the total population. Most people who get Parkinson's are over 60, but one in ten are under 50.
For more information on the programme, contact Jade.Gilbertson@foundationoflight.co.uk or visit the website to register your interest to get involved.
Sessions take place every Saturday, from 10am-12pm, and is open to everyone over the age of 16.
A group of students from the Foundation of Light’s scholarship and study programmes were given a unique opportunity to visit Japan thanks to funding from the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.
Foundation of Light PFA Player Ambassador, Aji Alese, and teammate Jenson Seelt marked EFL Week of Action with a visit to the Beacon of Light.
Foundation of Light, Sunderland AFC’s official charity, is thrilled to announce defender Aji Alese as official PFA Player Ambassador.