Shirley-Ann Machmer
Team Machmer 2011
Fundraising for Parkinson’s UK
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit Team Machmer 2011's JustGiving page.
Team Machmer are a group of individuals specially brought together, who have one common aim - to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson's UK.
The Team are: Angus Simpson; Avrill Forster; Catherine Simpson; Charlie Machmer; Charlotte Machmer; David Simpson; Fiona Farish; Joanne Grant; Julia Simpson; Paula White and Shirley-Ann Machmer, Michelle Riddell, Mary Riddell and Carole Hibden.
Team Machmer are involved in a number of events this year from the Edinburgh Marathon (Shirley-Ann's Brother only!), Walk for Scotland (All of us – looking forward to a picnic at the end!); Parkinson's Awareness Bracelets; donations through selling on e-bay and whatever else we can turn our hand to!
So please come back and visit this page to keep up to date with the Journey of 'Team Machmer'.
FUNDAY - YOKER, GLASGOW - 2 OCTOBER
Michelle Riddell and her family and friends have arranged a family funday . Support their efforts by turning up on the day. £7 adults, £3 children.
WALK FOR SCOTLAND
A team of 13 took part aging from 7 to 72.
EDINBURGH MARATHON
David had a great run in the Edinburgh Marathon achieving a personal best of 3 hours 24 minutes. He has raised over £300 so far. Which is a great start towards our fundraising target of £1000.
Julia; Angus and Shirley-Ann had a great day of spectating, managing to catch sight of David at the 10 mile and 25 mile marker points. Shirley-Ann was convinced that by the end of the day she had walked a half marathon! Julia and David assure her it was only 4 miles!
What’s next? Well, the whole team are participating in the Walk for Scotland event on 5 June. If you would like to support us on the day come along to Holyrood - Race starts at 10.15.
MAY 2011
David Simpson having successfully completed the 'Highland Fling' a 53 mile endurance race in 11hrs 19mins. This race took him from Milngavie to Tyndrum. Well done David!
He will now go on to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon supporting Parkinson's UK. Help him in his efforts by sponsoring him through this page.
APRIL 2011
Parkinson’s Awareness week - 11 – 17 April 2011
Saw the launch of the Facebook page - 'Parkinson's Awareness Jewellery' a project Shirley-Ann has been working on in recent months.
Please search on Facebook and 'like it' when you are online! You may even want to purchase an item or two! The first purchase through the page has already been made which was very exciting!
(http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Parkinsons-Awareness-Jewellery/199176470113809)
Thanks to everyone who has bought a bracelet so far, particularly to Jo and Paula who have been working hard to raise awareness of this cause through selling bracelets.
SHIRLEY-ANN'S STORY
Shirley-Ann was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at the ago of 40 just over three years ago. Here is a bit more about her story so far.
My Story
After a series of tests it was confirmed in late 2007 that I had Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease. At the time of diagnosis I was 40 years old, newly married, just settled in a new job, with a wonderful four year old daughter. I felt my life had ended and what had been a happy life full of expectation for the future had a big black cloud hanging over it.
I’ve never been one to take things lying down so I armed myself with books; leaflets; voraciously read every piece of info on websites. I condensed this huge amount of information into three things:
1. Stay positive
2. Keep active
3. Live life now
These three points keep me going on a day to day basis. I’ve tried hard to keep to them and it’s paid off! Over three years later I’m very positive about my future. I do have dark thoughts every now and then – who doesn’t? But on the whole life is great!
Biggest Challenge
The biggest challenge I've faced funnily enough has not been the physical, mental or emotional changes I have experienced but it has been in sharing the news with family and friends that I am a ‘Parkinson’s Sufferer'. This I have found to be extremely difficult and at times debilitating.
This year I hope to find the courage to share who I am.
Parkinson’s Awareness week on 11 – 17 April 2011 was an ideal time for me to stand up and be counted as one of the 140,000 suffers in the UK. This was a very cathartic and emotional week, with daily awareness postings on Facebook and speaking to people about my condition and also the launch of the Facebook page – Parkinson’s Awareness Jewellery.
Shirley-Ann x x x
THANK YOU
Thank you so much for your donation every penny counts! Here is a bit about donating through JustGiving.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now every penny counts no matter how few.
Much Love
Shirley-Ann on behalf of Team Machmer 2011
Please read on to find out a bit about Parkinson's
What is Parkinson’s?
Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition. People with Parkinson's don't have enough of a chemical called dopamine because some nerve cells in their brain have died.
Without dopamine people can find that their movements become slower so it takes longer to do things. The loss of nerve cells in the brain causes the symptoms of Parkinson's to appear.
There's currently no cure for Parkinson's and we don't yet know why people get the condition. Parkinson's doesn't directly cause people to die, but symptoms do get worse over time.
If you are interested in finding out more about Parkinson’s – Parkinson’s UK (www.parkinsons.org.uk) is a great source of info. Why not join it’s only £4 per year.
PRE-CHRISTMAS GIFT SALE - SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER.Julia and Shirley-Ann's love of all things Christmas was the impetus to organise this gift sale. Come along on Saturday 5 November - 1pm - 3pm at LIVINGSTON VILLAGE PRIMARY SCHOOL - COMMUNITY WING. With over 14 stall holders selling handmade crafts and specialist gift traders. Tombola, prize draws and activities for the kids as well as physic readings make for a great kickstart to the Christmas Festivities.
If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute please do so through this page - every penny counts. Thank you for your support - we don't take it for granted. xx