Once again, the brilliant team at Focus Menswear have been fundraising for Parkinson’s UK in Northern Ireland, raising £2500 to support their work.
With a personal connection to the condition, through founder Stephen’s wife’s diagnosis in 2016, the family run menswear store has been front and centre in raising funds for the great work being carried out by Parkinson’s UK locally.
Over the years they have taken part in the annual Walk for Parkinson’s as well as various other fundraising initiatives.
Every year during the summer months they take part in the Bangor Abbey Church car boot sale, with their amazing grandchildren helping out. This year was no different, and they raised an incredible £2500, which includes a donation from Focus Menswear.
Talking about the fundraising, Stephen Dumigan said, “It was a great shock to us all as a family, when my wife Helen was diagnosed with Parkinson’s almost ten years ago. As a local business, trading in Bangor and Newtownards for over 40 years, we always like to give back to our local community.
“We have had excellent support from Parkinson’s UK over the years and are delighted to have raised so much this summer.
“There is help out there for people living with Parkinson’s and their families, and we’re proud to support the work of Parkinson’s UK in Northern Ireland.”
Local Community Fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK Emma McNeill said, “We are so grateful for the regular support from Focus Menswear and the wider Dumigan family. This is an amazing amount to have raised through car boot sales, and will be put to great use to help us reach and support people living with Parkinson’s in Northern Ireland.
“For anyone looking for support and connection in North Down there are a few opportunities every month in the local area.
“The North Down support group meets on the third Monday of every month at 2pm, held in Londonderry Park, while a physio-led exercise class also runs there every Wednesday at 10am (contact Lauren Green on physioforparkinsons@gmail.com to book your place).
“For carers, there’s also an informal catch up at House Church on the fourth Monday of the month, starting at 11am.”
Parkinson’s is a complex brain condition that has no cure and gets worse over time. It has more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety. There are an estimated 4,200 people living with the condition in Northern Ireland.
For support and advice, the Parkinson’s UK Helpline is available on 0808 800 0303 or see their website, www.parkinsons.org.uk
