Jim Hilliard, 88, was instrumental in establishing a Parkinson's support group in East Kilbride following loss of his wife Betty who suffered from the neurological condition.
Jim proudly receives his lifetime award (Image: East Kilbride News)
An inspirational East Kilbride widower who dedicated his life to raising awareness of Parkinson’s after losing his wife to the illness has been given a lifetime honour.
Calderwood grandad Jim Hilliard, 88, received an honorary life membership from Parkinson’s UK in recognition of his outstanding support for people affected by the neurological disorder across South Lanarkshire and the south side of Glasgow.
im was instrumental in establishing a Parkinson’s support group in East Kilbride and has been involved with the Lanarkshire and Glasgow South branch of Parkinson’s UK for more than 25 years.
And his achievements – which include the appointment of the first specialist parkinson’s nurse to NHS Lanarkshire in 2002 and establishing a drop-in centre in 2004 along with the late Maurice Pendry and Harry Hay, former branch chairmen – are also being celebrated in the Scottish Parliament.
Jim has led the Lanarkshire and Glasgow South Parkinson's Group in many initiatives over the years(Image: East Kilbride News)
Speaking about the honour this week, Jim said: “I would like to thank Parkinson’s UK for this honour which I was privileged to receive.
“It has been my pleasure to support the Lanarkshire and Glasgow South Parkinson’s Group and I was very pleased to have the whole community of members, carers and their family and friends at the ceremony, including my children Elizabeth and Robert.
“I would like to dedicate this award to my late wife Betty – who would have been 88 on the day I received it – all my work has been for her and people with parkinson’s. We are a family with one aim – to find a cure for parkinson’s.”
Catherine Grant, from the Lanarkshire and Glasgow South branch, said: “Jim has led the group in many new initiatives over the years.
“He is passionate that people living with Parkinson’s should have opportunities to get together and has set up and run really successful drop-in sessions and exercise classes across the group’s area.
Jim might be 88 but you’d never know it – he really knows how to get things done and his warm friendly manner inspires others to support the group too.
“The branch holds Jim in the greatest regard and with real fondness and it’s wonderful to see him being honoured in this way.”
Linda Fabiani MSP laid a motion before the Scottish Parliament that recognises Jim’s achievement. She said: “Jim Hilliard is such an inspiration. His lovely nature and sense of humour is an added bonus. I have known Jim for some years now, and he is such a worthy recipient of honorary life membership of Parkinson’s UK.”
Tanith Muller of Parkinson’s UK added: “Jim continues to be a brilliant volunteer who does so much to promote the charity. He has tirelessly pushed for better services for people living with Parkinson’s across Lanarkshire and Glasgow and his work was instrumental in getting a Parkinson’s nurse specialist appointed locally.”
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/east-kilbride-grandad-jimmy-two-11564379
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