52 cyclists spent three hours on bikes at Fairfield Leisure and raised £2,434 for Parkinson's UK, to buy kit for the Dartford centre's Parkinson's group.

A three-hour charity Spinathon at Fairfield Leisure in Dartford has raised £2,434 for Parkinson’s UK, and the fundraising page is still open. The money will help the Fairfield Parkinson’s Group, which has met at the centre for more than four years, buy more sports and exercise equipment for its sessions.

Fifty-two people took part on 20 September, riding for three hours in classes led by Fairfield Leisure instructors Rachael, Damo and Julia, with a cake sale of homemade bakes afterwards. GB athlete Adam Gemili called in on the day and joined the participants, according to Parkinson’s UK.

Five Spinathon supporters, two in Parkinson's UK volunteer T-shirts, outside the Fairfield building
Spinathon supporters outside Fairfield Leisure, two in Parkinson's UK volunteer T-shirts. Photo: supplied by Parkinson's UK

Who organised it

The event was organised by Mervyn Dunkley, Fitness Manager at Fairfield Leisure. Parkinson’s UK says he has played an important role in building the centre’s support for people living with Parkinson’s, including its weekly Parkinson’s Move & Shout sessions, which run every Wednesday from 1pm to 1.45pm.

“What an incredible day we had,” he said. “To see 52 people take on three hours of spinning for Parkinson’s UK was fantastic, and the atmosphere throughout the event was brilliant. We’ve got such a great community at Fairfield and it was amazing to see everyone come together, whether they were cycling, baking, donating, volunteering or simply cheering people on.

“The Fairfield Parkinson’s Group means a huge amount to us. It’s about much more than exercise; it’s about helping people stay active, build confidence, make friends and support one another. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped us raise this money and to Places for People Group for their generous donation.”

Two men in front of an arch of light blue Parkinson's UK balloons beside an exercise bike, one in a Parkinson's UK volunteer T-shirt
The balloon arch in the cycling studio, with a Parkinson's UK volunteer. Photo: supplied by Parkinson's UK

Where the total came from

More than 130 donations had been made through the event’s JustGiving page by the time Parkinson’s UK sent us the figures on 6 October. A £750 donation from Places for People Group took the total to £2,434.

The group the money supports gives people living with Parkinson’s a chance to exercise, socialise and build confidence, the charity says. Some of the money also goes to the wider Parkinson’s community.

James Beeching, Community Fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK in the South East, said: “It’s fantastic to see the local community getting behind Parkinson’s UK in such a big way. £2,434 is an amazing total, and a huge well done to everyone who got on a bike, baked a cake, donated or helped out on the day.

“The money raised will make a real difference to the Parkinson’s community, helping Parkinson’s UK provide support and services locally, as well as helping groups such as the one at Fairfield Leisure continue their sessions. A big thank you to Mervyn and the team for putting it all together, and to Places for People Group for their generous £750 donation.”

Two riders on exercise bikes, one dressed as Sonic the Hedgehog giving a thumbs up and one dressed as Mario
Riders dressed as Sonic and Mario on the bikes. Photo: supplied by Parkinson's UK

What it means for you

  • The fundraiser is still taking donations through its JustGiving page, Parkinson’s UK says. The Parkinson’s UK JustGiving page takes general donations to the charity.
  • If you or someone you care for has Parkinson’s, Fairfield Leisure’s Move & Shout sessions run every Wednesday from 1pm to 1.45pm, and are listed on the charity’s local support directory. The centre is the one that reopened its upgraded gym last month (our report).
  • For information and support, visit the Parkinson’s UK website or call the free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition. Parkinson’s UK says around 166,000 people in the UK are currently diagnosed, and that someone is diagnosed every 20 minutes.