A CHIPPING Norton woman whose husband suffers with a debilitating illness is preparing to walk miles in aid of charity.

Heather Faulds will take part in the Walk for Parkinson's – Oxford on Sunday, October 16 to raise funds for Parkinson's UK.

The 62-year-old will be walking for her husband Jim, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's 13 years ago at the age of 47.

She said: "I saw the Walk for Parkinson’s – Oxford advertised on the Parkinson’s UK website and thought it was something I could do to help raise awareness of Parkinson’s.

"Many people don’t understand the condition or understand how the medication can affect people with Parkinson’s.

"Unfortunately Jim struggles with the side effects of the treatment for his Parkinson’s and although he tries to stay positive, the day-to-day activities of life can be really hard for him.

"The drugs used to treat Parkinson’s can have devastating side effects for some people and I want to support the search for better drugs, and just maybe there will be a cure one day."

The charity walk starts and finishes from Cherwell School in Oxford and walkers can pass many of the city's famous sights, such as the Radcliffe Camera and Britain’s oldest museum, the Ashmolean.

Sky Sports presenter Dave Clark is the Champion of Walking for Parkinson’s UK in 2016 and is encouraging as many people as possible to sign up.

"Thank you and good luck to Heather, I hope she enjoys her walk," said Mr Clark, who suffers with Parkinson's.

"As a sports fanatic, being diagnosed with Parkinson’s has inevitably meant that some of the things that I used to do to keep fit are that much harder now.

"Walking gets the heart pounding and also helps me with flexibility and balance. And being out of doors in green spaces with nature all around you is so good for your mental well-being and the soul.

"That’s why I’d like to invite everyone, whatever their level of fitness, to join Walk for Parkinson’s – Oxford, even to only walk a few miles. Together we can raise much needed funds to get one step closer to a cure."

To sign up to the Walk for Parkinson’s – Oxford call 020 7963 9367, visit parkinsons.org.uk/walkoxford or email fundraising@parkinsons.org.uk