The Movers & Shakers are taking over Cure Parkinson’s!

The Parky Petition has hit 100,000 signatures, but we’re not done yet! We’re highlighting the aims of the petition, the successes of the Movers & Shakers’ journey so far, and the incredible supporters helping drive signatures.

Since 2024, the Movers & Shakers podcasters Mark Mardell, Jeremy Paxman, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Nicholas Mostyn and Cure Parkinson’s patrons Paul Mayhew-Archer and Rory Cellan-Jones have been fighting to improve the conditions of people living with Parkinson’s.

After the arrival of a new government, their ‘Parky Charter’ petition relaunched in April this year – with the aim to get 100,000 signatures before the six-month deadline for the petition to be debated in parliament and on 16 July, almost two months ahead of the deadline, they achieved their goal! Cure Parkinson’s is supporting this petition, alongside Parkinson’s UK and Spotlight YOPD, and we’ll be sharing photos, videos and updates around the amazing efforts of the Movers & Shakers across all of our platforms.

What’s in the Parky charter?

The charter describes five things that people affected by Parkinson’s need from the government. The measures in the Parky Charter aim to ensure timely diagnosis, comprehensive care, and dignity for all people living with Parkinson’s – these include:

• 1. Speedy specialists: As a priority, we want to make sure that everyone referred for a possible Parkinson’s diagnosis sees a consultant within 18 weeks and at least once a year after that.
• 2. Instant information: When diagnosed, people with Parkinson’s should be given a leaflet containing essential information about the condition as well as details of local support groups.
• 3. Parkinson’s passport: After diagnosis, people with Parkinson’s should be granted a “Parkinson’s Passport”, which would give an automatic right to certain benefits, free prescriptions, a “blue badge” and other clearly defined services.
• 4. Comprehensive care: A personal plan ensuring regular meetings with a Parkinson’s nurse and other health professionals.
• 5. Quest for a cure: Commit to a major increase in funding for research into Parkinson’s.

Join us and let’s make Parkinson’s impossible to ignore!

Already signed the petition? Use the resources below to help spread the word to your friends, family, and wider network using the hashtag #parkypetition100k.

Commenting on the takeover, Rory Cellan-Jones said: “One of the best things about this campaign has been seeing the Parkinson’s community uniting behind the petition and the Parky Charter. So we are really delighted that Cure Parkinson’s is putting its weight and its website behind us as the petition nears its target nearly two months before the deadline. And make no mistake we’re not stopping at 100,000 – we’ll be carrying on building as broad a coalition as possible behind our manifesto for better Parkinson’s care.”

Mark Mardell added: “Like most of the Movers and Shakers, I was a professional broadcaster all my life. Even so, the success of our podcast came as something of  a surprise. The real shock though was how we cynical hacks have become ardent campaigners, albeit rather amateur ones. We have rather blundered our way towards victory – at times, it’s felt like designing a Spitfire while the bombers are already overhead, and we were desperate to get it into the air and do some proper battle. That’s what’s made the support of the charities so important  and particularly the dynamism, focus and professionalism of Cure Parkinson’s, which has been hugely appreciated.

There are lots of theories about why the number of signatures suddenly started ticking up, but one factor must have been that amazing collaboration between the charity, Ozzy Osbourne, and Black Sabbath for their final show. The way celebrities, charities, and people with Parkinson’s – and I won’t say ordinary people with Parkinson’s, because they are exceptional – have come together to help.

But be warned: 100,000 signatures is only the beginning. The debate it should win is only the beginning. It’s not over until it’s over. And it won’t be over until we cure Parkinson’s!”

Keep in touch with the Movers & Shakers

At Cure Parkinson’s, we are helping the Movers & Shakers to keep in touch with all the amazing fans supporting them to secure signatures for their Parky Charter Petition. If you’ve signed and shared and want to stay in the loop please click the button below.