Parkinson’s support group would use minibus from Press and Journal’s competition to improve access to therapies

 19 August 2016 by David Mackay

Trying to win the bus for the Elgin and District Parkinson Support group are: Gillian Gibson, Tony Cardwell, Elsie Watson and Alison Murray.

Improving access to health care and breaking down barriers have been placed at the heart of one Moray group’s drive to win a new minibus.

The Elgin and District Parkinson’s Support Group tirelessly fundraises throughout the year to help patients get about the region and receive support.

And if the group is successful it intends to share the prize from the Press and Journal’s competition, donated by oil and gas firm Nexen, to help others with debilitating illnesses, including Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and Huntington’s disease.

Chairwoman Elsie Watson said: “At the moment we have to have a transport fund, and that’s just so members can get to meetings and access different therapies.

“The disease affects mobility, so people with it aren’t able to get around as easily.

“We have members spread out as far as Dufftown and Fochabers where the public transport is not quite as good.

“It means we have to pay for taxis for outings so the members can come out and enjoy themselves. A minibus would make a big difference.”

There are currently about 60 members of the group with more joining up all the time.

Sharing the coveted minibus with similar organisations in Moray has been put at the heart of their campaign.

Mrs Watson said: “There’s no point it sitting in splendid isolation. There are other groups in Moray, who aren’t as large as we are, but have similar aims.

“These illnesses can make people more isolated and winning the minibus would help us to make sure they get out to meetings and are not alone.”

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/moray/1001814/parkinsons-support-group-would-use-minibus-from-press-and-journals-competition-to-improve-access-to-therapies/