On the run for a Parkinson’s cure

Bearsden resident Bryn Williams was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2007, at the age of just 36.

The married dad-of-two set up the Wobbly Williams website and blog - and later the associated charity Funding Neuro - to support research and find a possible cure for Parkinson’s and other neurological disorders.

Their running team, the Try Athletes, are taking part in the Great Scottish Run on October 4.

Bryn is one of 30 patients who signed up to a trailblazing trial in 2013 which is being conducted by neurosurgeon Professor Steven Gill, based at Bristol’s Frenchay Hospital.

He underwent a risky operation two years ago which involved having holes drilled into his head so that tubes could be placed in his brain.

The research aims to find out the effect of delivering the protein Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor directly into the brain through tubes.

Fifteen patients will receive a placebo while the other will be given the drug - to discover whether the specially designed delivery port could help improve symptoms.

Funding Neuro is now trying to raise nearly a million pounds for a trial of this delivery system for chemotherapy treatment to eighteen children with DIPG brain tumours.

Bryn said: “We have used the delivery system previously on compassionate grounds for this treatment with remarkable results. It can perhaps extend a life which was previously unextendable.”

If you want to take part and/or help them recruit some runners it would be much appreciated. Just reply to this email: [email protected].