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AMAZING EFFORT: Chorleywood resident completes 300,000 steps challenge in aid of Cure Parkinson’s

 Published on: 13th May 2021   |   By: Amneet Kaur   |   Category: Uncategorized

A Chorleywood resident crossed the finish line of her incredible 300,000 steps challenge in aid of charity Cure Parkinson’s.

86-year-old Joyce Cook completed her challenge on Monday, May 10, which she started on World Parkinson’s Day (April 11) walking more than 10,000 steps each day.

Joyce has managed to raise £3,500 so far.

On Monday afternoon rain clouds gave way to sunshine as Joyce walked her final stretch over Chorleywood Common to break the finish line ribbon, where she was met and congratulated on her achievement by the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, the Queen’s representative in the county. 

Joyce said: “I am delighted to have completed this challenge. I love walking and being out in the fresh air, but I must admit covering this distance each day was hard and I am pretty tired now. 

“My feet are covered in blisters! But I am so glad to have raised money to help find a cure for Parkinson’s, and to have been met by the Lord Lieutenant was a real honour. Thank you so much to everyone who cheered me on and donated to Cure Parkinson’s!”

Cure Parkinson’s is a charity with roots in Croxley and Rickmansworth. Joyce’s family have supported the charity since it was founded in 2005.  

As well as Joyce’s fundraising efforts, Joyce’s son, Will Cook, also from Chorleywood, became a trustee in 2015 then gave up his job to become the charity’s CEO in 2017. 

Joyce’s son, Will said: “I am hugely proud of my mum for thinking up and completing this challenge. She was laser-focused throughout her 30-day mission – 10,000 steps a day, no fewer, all for a cure – and ended up covering precisely 369,630 steps by the time she got to the finish ribbon. 

“It was typically supportive of the Lord Lieutenant – a devoted patron of Cure Parkinson’s – to greet her at the finish: after all, she had walked around much of his county in the previous month!  It was wonderful for her achievement to be marked in such a special way.”

Joyce Cook has been an active and engaged member of the local community for decades. 

Born in 1934 in Llangollen, North Wales, she moved to Pinner, Northwood and finally Chorleywood in the 1950s-1990s, working as a primary school teacher and marriage guidance counsellor in the 1960s-90s before serving as a local JP before retirement.  

She remains passionate about health and fitness as a way of keeping the mind active. 

Cure Parkinson’s is incredibly grateful to Joyce for taking on this huge challenge.

To support Joyce, please visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Joyce-Cook3

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