A VOLUNTEER educator from Tavistock will don her fitness gear next week for Switzerland's oldest road race — all in aid of Parkinson's UK. Val Evans, 63, is preparing for the 8.68km speed walk, in the Murtenlauf hills of Switzerland, which is taking place on Sunday, October 5. She is well known throughout Tavistock as a volunteer educator of Parkinson's UK, visiting nursing homes, residential homes and domiciliary care providers talking to health care professionals about the needs of people living with Parkinson's, to help improve the care they receive. Val will be speed walking for her husband Dave, 66, who has been living with Parkinson's for more than 30 years: 'I went to London earlier this year to support my son Darren as he was running the London Marathon for Parkinson's UK. Following the event I just happened to say to him that I had never entered a race in my life, and wished I could do something to raise money for Parkinson's UK,' said Val. 'Darren lives in Switzerland and a month later when I visited him he asked me if I was serious about wanting to fundraise. He then suggested taking part in the speed walk and so the idea was born. 'I have been training for the walk ever since and can be seen walking in my Parkinson's UK vest around the streets of Tavistock and the hills of Dartmoor in preparation for the challenge.   'Up to now I have let my son do all the fundraising for Parkinson's UK so now it is my turn. It won't be easy but it wouldn't be a challenge if it was. 'This is the first race I have ever entered in my life and I am attempting to learn the skill of speed walking in the hills of Switzerland. I'm looking forward to seeing Darren waiting at the finish line for me, as it is usually the other way around.' Val will be taking part in the 81st Murtenlauf which is Switzerland's oldest road race. It celebrates the legend of the Murten runner who ran the course from Murten to Fribourg with news of a battle in 1476. Paul Jackson-Clark, director of fundraising at Parkinson's UK, said: 'Research consistently shows that walking can be one of the very best forms of exercise that anybody can do, and you don't even need a gym. All you need to do is put on your walking shoes or trainers and get outdoors into the fresh air. 'I'd like to wish Val the very best of luck with her challenge. I hope Val's story will inspire others to sign up for one of our other walking events that happen throughout the year.' Val is using the race as a way to spread the word of Tavistock Parkinson's Support Group, which meets on the last Tuesday of every month at The Anchorage Centre from 10.30am to noon. For more information on the group call Val on 01822 613992 or Pam Coxwell on 01822 614204. To sponsor Val visit http://www.justgiving.com/valevans2">www.justgiving.com/valevans2