AGM 2025 - Chair Report

My flying career came to an end when I was diagnosed with PD in June 2019 at the age of 60. Like many people who are diagnosed with PD, I went through a phase of shock and disappointment before coming to terms with the diagnosis. Eventually, I decided to get involved with the PDUK charity and joined the Horsham Branch in 2021.

Following a period as the research member on the committee, I took over as chair at the beginning of 2024, following Tom Dellmann, and before him, Paul Dodd; two big pairs of shoes to fill! Thanks to them, the rest of the committee, and you, the membership, we have a solid base to work from.

We now have 232 members, 5 have joined this year.

Treasurer Dennis is keeping our finances on an even keel, and we are generating funds that allow us to support various research projects and subsidise activities for our members.

Three of Tom’s visions have borne fruit this year.

The Working Age Group (WAG), which is expertly administered by our very own Wagamama, Emma Brinton.

The PD Warrior program, which starts a second cohort in April,

and the website, which is now very much live thanks to the hours of graft put in by Jeremy and James.

Our branch meetings have covered subjects as diverse as Birds of the Amazon, guide dogs, research updates, and estate planning! We’ve enjoyed a quiz night, a brilliant Elvis night (thanks Trish), a summer day out, and a couple of January Christmas dinners! We’ve also run a few chess and games sessions, and we’ll hopefully have time for more of that after the AGM.

There’s plenty of things we can do better! Specifically with follow up support for members who become ill or go into care homes.

We would appreciate your suggestions, and if anyone would like to join the committee let us know.

Before I finish let me mention some of our members who have died or been taken ill this year.

Dorothy Hatfield- longtime ctte member and national research assessor.

Mary Cook - longtime member

John Beal - who used to come to Pilates

Valerie Bowles - who was a member for many years

Mrs Blackman-Brown - again a member for a long time.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to their families.

Julian Davies, longtime ctte member and fund raiser, is very ill in Windermere house care home in BBHeath. Thoughts and prayers to him and his wife Trish and their family.

Martin Babbister, a great fundraiser through the Lions, is very ill in Welcross Grange in Slinfold. Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife, Julie, and the family.

My apologies if I have missed anyone out.

Finishing on a brighter note, if there’s one sentiment that sums up my vision for the branch, it is a point made by one of our members at the WAG pub gathering the other night. They said that the branch had helped them find genuine new friendships with local people.

I know we would all hand back our PD in a flash. But there’s a silver lining to every cloud, we’ve just got to help each other find it.

Best wishes to you all,

Mike