A keen runner who was stopped in his tracks by a debilitating neurological disease is powering back with an ambitious charity challenge.
Marc van Grieken, from Comrie, Perthshire, has lived with Parkinson’s for more than a decade.
He was diagnosed after his right leg simply stopped moving, causing him to trip and fall when out on a run.
But the landscape architect has refused to be slowed down, instead adapting his lifestyle to focus on what he can do – not what he can’t. For instance, he now keeps fit by cycling and mono ski-ing.
He is now using his new drive and abilities to help others living with Parkinson’s, helping fund ground-breaking studies by researchers at the University of Dundee.
He is on a mission to raise £60,000 for Parkinson’s UK research and has, in a matter of months, reached the mid-way point with a series of fundraising events.
On Tuesday, the 60-year-old took part in a static relay cycle at Scottish Power’s new Glasgow HQ.
Marc and a team of ScottishPower staff took part in a sponsored pedal for two-and-a-half hours.
Marc works alongside Scottish Power and other energy companies, advising on projects like onshore wind farms. He has been raising funds for his Shaky Team campaign – named after his Shaky Toun home – with support from the industry, as well as backing from friends, family and his local community.
He said he was grateful to the company. “I really appreciate their staff’s enthusiasm in helping me towards my target,” he said.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the support I’ve had from across Scotland and beyond in what’s already been a fantastic and busy year.”
He added: “All the money raised is going to support a fantastic team of world-class researchers in Dundee. Already this year, they’ve achieved ground-breaking results and I want to help them achieve even more.”
Siobhan O’Hara, the East Scotland regional fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK, said: “Parkinson’s UK has been delighted that Marc has had such fantastic support.
“He really deserves it. Marc’s good humour, determination and positivity in dealing with his diagnosis has been remarkable.”
She said: “His exploits are helping fund world-leading research here in Scotland that has the potential to have a huge impact on the future of Parkinson’s treatments.”
Marc’s campaign – found online at shakyteam.com – has won international support from as far afield as Canada and the Netherlands. Donations can be made through a Justgiving.com page.
