FOR four years people from West Devon and East Cornwall living with Parkinson's have been supported by a much needed local group.

But now the Tavistock Parkinson's Support Group has said it is time more people knew about it so they can be supported through all the different stages of the disease.

Holding meetings at the Anchorage Centre, Tavistock, since 2009, the group has grown from four to 40, and members come from all over the local area, including Okehampton, Callington and Tavistock.

Tavistock Parkinson's Support Group, in its present form, started in December four years ago when a programme of speakers, some social and many informative, was put together for the following year.

The group then started to grow and in 2010 Darren Evans, who was born and brought up in Tavistock, offered to cycle from John O' Groats to Land's End to raise money for the group.

Darren's father has Parkinson's and Darren wanted to make sure that the support group was there for everyone.

He completed his cycle ride, with the help of his brother Mathew in a support vehicle, in May 2011 — and raised £2,091.

Members were given the opportunity to suggest how best to spend the money. Members requested to set up an exercise group — so now a fully qualified physiotherapist takes two exercise groups a month.

In the past few years, as well as the meetings, members have enjoyed subsidised trips for lunches, teas, shopping and places of interest.

Funds for the events are raised through street collections, stalls in the market, a quiz and generous donations from local residents and charitable organisations.

The group also benefited from £700 after a golf day organised by Tavistock Golf Club to raise funds for research into Parkinson's.

Two main volunteers who help keep the group afloat are Pam Coxwell and Val Evans, who are also supported by a loyal group of helpers.

Pam, from Tavistock, used to work for Cornwall Adult Care and Support group for carers in Saltash. She has organised the group since 2009 and makes sure everyone who attends is well looked after.

Val, whose son Darren completed the cycle ride to raise money for the group, is a volunteer educator for Parkinson's UK. She visits nursing homes, residential homes and care agencies in the local area, talking to management and staff about the needs of people with Parkinson's, which is a service she provides for free.

Pam said: 'Tavistock support group is for anyone whose life has been changed by Parkinson's or connected conditions.

'Along with people from the local area we have members from Okehampton, Northlew, Hatt, Callington and Stoke Climsland. We will make anyone, who can make the trip to join us, most welcome.

'They are such a nice group of people and they support each other and have a laugh. The laughter shows they are enjoying themselves and it's never at each other but with each other.

'We would like more people with Parkinson's and their families to know we are here to give friendship and support.

'I would like to thank our loyal group of helpers for their tremendous support. It's a lot of work but a pleasure and very rewarding. I class all who attend as my friends now as it's a close knit group.'

Graham and Helen from the group said: 'Having found our Parkinson's support worker Kay Lillie, she introduced us to the group. Even though we live the other side of the Tamar we come under Kay's wing. We were made most welcome and regularly attend the support group and the exercise classes.

'The group is run by some wonderful people, Pam and Val in particular, who give so much time and effort in making sure everything is organised.

'We get information, support, we share our problems, we listen to the problems of others, we know we are not alone and above all we have made so many friends.'

The group meets on the last Tuesday of each month from 10.30am to noon at the Anchorage Centre, and the exercise classes happen on the second Thursday from 10.30am to noon and the last Monday from 2.45pm to 4.15pm at the centre.

For more information contact Pam on 01822 614204 or Val on 01822 613992.

l Every hour, someone in the UK is told they have Parkinson's, a life changing condition. People with Parkinson's do not have enough of the chemical dopamine because some nerve cells in the brain have died. Without dopamine movements become slower making every day activities difficult or frustrating.

In addition, issues such as tiredness, pain, depression, constipation and tremor can impact on their day to day lives. One in 20 diagnosed is under 40 years old.

Often, when diagnosed, people are not given relevant information such as the Parkinson's UK charity details, names and phone numbers of the local specialist nurse, the support worker and if available the local support group. For more information on Parkinson's UK visit http://www.parkinsons.org.uk">www.parkinsons.org.uk