7 February 2024

Cure Parkinson’s is delighted to announce that Rory Cellan-Jones, former technology correspondent for the BBC, writer, ‘Movers & Shakers’ podcaster, technology advisor and owner of one the UK’s most beloved rescue dogs, has joined Cure Parkinson’s as a patron.

Rory was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019, and since then he has made an incredible contribution to raising vital funds and awareness of the condition.

Alongside five other ‘Movers & Shakers’, in 2023 Rory launched a podcast about life with Parkinson’s which has garnered hugely positive feedback from the Parkinson’s community, with many describing it as a source of information, support, motivation and humour. The podcast has been a great success and will begin its third season in February.

An established writer, Rory has authored three books, the most recent being the critically acclaimed Ruskin Park: Sylvia Me and The BBC. This moving memoir tells the story of the love affair between his parents, both BBC employees – the full drama of which only became clear to him after his mother’s death – and how it was affected by the forces of post war respectability and prejudice.

Rory has a particular interest in how science can treat Parkinson’s, which aligns completely with the mission of Cure Parkinson’s: to find new treatments to slow, stop or reverse the condition. Rory often covers the latest technological advances and research news in his popular e-newsletter, Always On.

In addition to these many career accolades, for the last year Rory has also been working on a special project at home. In December 2022, he and his wife Diane welcomed to their home a shy rescue dog from Romania, named Sophie. Little did they know she would go on to become an internet sensation, and one of the UK’s most loved rescue dogs as millions followed their journey in building Sophie’s confidence.

Helen Matthews, CEO of Cure Parkinson’s said:

We are thrilled that Rory is joining the team as a patron of Cure Parkinson’s. Rory has been such a huge support to the charity in recent years, and to the Parkinson’s community as a whole. Rory has connected us with so many people, taken part in media interviews, helped to facilitate donations and much more, and his involvement will undoubtedly continue to make a real difference to the charity. We are so grateful he has agreed to be a patron to help spotlight our essential work to find a cure.”

Rory added:

I am delighted and honoured to become a patron of a charity which does such great work not just in funding groundbreaking research, but in building a community around the quest to understand and beat Parkinson’s.”

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