A diagnosis of Parkinson’s at the age of 46, prompted Alison to step away from a 30 year career in the NHS, including specialist nursing and management roles. Alison has since embarked on a number of challenges including cycling Vietnam to Cambodia, Land’s End to John O’Groats and across The Alps to raise funds for research into Parkinson’s. Last year Alison led a team of 20 people from around the world, nine of whom live with Parkinson’s, to cycle 1,200 miles from Cheltenham to Barcelona to attend the World Parkinson Congress of which she was an Ambassador. She is now making plans to cycle 4,253 miles across the USA next year. Recognising an unmet need, Alison set up and runs a support group ‘The Young Ones’ in Gloucestershire. Alison has recently joined the charity, Cure Parkinson’s, as a Trustee. When she’s not cycling, Alison enjoys tennis, dog walking and playing chess as well as spending time with her husband and three grown up sons. Alison writes an blog about living with Parkinsons: www.theramblingsofacyclopath.com