PARKINSON’S UK’s Barnsley and District branch has been awarded a grant of £1,500 to help those with the long-term degenerative disease.

The grant from the Better Barnsley Bond is for a postural stability instructor to provide weekly exercise sessions for local people with Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years. The three main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are: involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body (tremor) slow movement and stiff, inflexible muscles.

Carers of those with Parkinson’s are encouraged to join in so that the exercises can be continued at home.

Branch chairman Philip Thompson said: “There is a wealth of research work which demonstrates that appropriate exercise slows the progress of the condition.

This activity fills a gap in statutory provisions of health care by the local authority and clinical care by the NHS. In other words it keeps people with Parkinson’s out of hospital and less dependent on Barnsley Council.”

For more information call 730418.