Andrew Moncrieff

My mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2014. This coincided almost exactly with the first Radio 4 appeal on behalf of the Cure Parkinson’s Trust (the charity’s former name). Fortunately I was listening to the radio at the time! Gavin Hastings gave a very persuasive speech about the value of the charity and the research needed in terms of finding a cure. Not only was I very impressed by what I heard, but being a big sports fan, Gavin Hastings was one of my rugby heroes, so I was doubly influenced! My father was Scottish, and although I have lived most of my life in England, I was born in Scotland; so when there are international sports competitions, I’ll always support Scotland first (especially v England!).

Since the Radio 4 appeal in 2014 I have supported Cure Parkinson’s as a donor, and joined the Cure Collective a few years ago.

My mother died last year, aged 83, but of course I continue to be wholly committed to the charity to find a cure for Parkinson’s. I am very privileged to have been asked to co-chair the Cure Collective with Rachel Gibson.

As a child, and with my father being in the army, I moved around the country a lot, but we settled in Salisbury for eight years, and that was where I felt most “at home”. After school I studied Geography at Southampton University for three years, did a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education at Newcastle University for a year, and then lived in southern Japan for two years teaching English.

On my return to the UK, in 1995 I moved to Croydon, where I have lived ever since. Initially I taught Geography at Whitgift School for 16 years, then I trained to be a Licensed Lay Minister in the church of England. I now help at two churches in South Croydon, and spend the rest of my time volunteering for a number charities. I also enjoy pursuing a number of hobbies (watching sport, films, birdwatching, walking and climbing). I have one younger sister, who is married and lives in Haslemere with two teenage children.