FUNDRAISER Phil Williams has collected a record amount for people living with Parkinson’s disease – from Coventry pubs and city centre collections.
The 60-year-old has become known in a number of city centre venues for his regular bucket collections for Parkinson’s UK since his own diagnosis of Parkinson’s five years ago.
By collecting at the Pilot, Old Shepherd, Town Wall Tavern and the Town Crier, Phil raised an impressive £2,700 last year. This takes his overall total to more than £10,500.
He explained: “I fundraise to help Parkinson’s UK find a cure and to keep Parkinson’s UK nurses coming round to treat people living with the condition.
“Parkinson’s is one of the conditions that a lot of people don’t know much about. When I was first diagnosed, I was shaking when I was going round the pubs, some people would look at me thinking: ‘Is he an alcoholic?’
“Now pubs that I’m known in accept it and have given me a lot of support, I’m very grateful to them all especially The Pilot who have raised £598 in the last year.”
Sarah Wakeman, Regional Fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK, said: “Congratulations to Phil on a record-breaking year of collecting. We are so grateful to Phil and everyone who supports him with his fundraising.”
For information and support call the Parkinson’s UK free confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303 or visit parkinsons.org.uk