A former England rugby captain has been announced as patron of a charity for people suffering from a long-term degenerative disorder affecting the motor system.

England rugby star Mike Tindall has become an advocate for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust in Hertfordshire after his father was diagnosed with the disease, in 2003.

The Trust, which began in Croxley, was founded in 2005 by four people living with Parkinson’s.

One member, who also led the charity as its president, was Tom Isaacs.

Tom grew up in Chorleywood and lived in Croxley Green with his wife Lyndsey until his death in 2017. 

To date, the charity has raised more than £10 million for research towards finding a cure.

Mike Tindall said of Tom: “It all came through this amazing man who I was very fortunate to meet and play golf with on a couple of occasions. 

“He entertained me, and didn’t have a bad singing voice either.”

Mike Tindall

Hillingdon Times:

To mark his patronage, Mike and Lyndsey visited the lab of Professor Roger Barker, at The John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair at the University of Cambridge.

Mike was shown the exciting new research project funded by Cure Parkinson’s Trust, and headed by Professor Barker, which aims to identify drugs that slow or stop the diseases’ progression.

Mike said of his patronage: “I was so honoured and proud when asked to become patron.

“What Cure Parkinson’s Trust are doing across the board, the way they’ve managed to pull the best brains in the world together to focus on one sole problem has just been astounding.”

Mike has supported the charity for many years and in 2017 organised a Celebrity Golf Classic at The Belfry with Cure Parkinson’s Trust as a beneficiary.

Will Cook, chief executive officer of Cure Parkinson’s Trust, said: “We are delighted that Mike has agreed to take on the role of Patron of The Cure Parkinson’s Trust. 

“He has been a great supporter and ambassador for the charity for some time. 

“This charity has its roots in the local community, but now funds the most promising research carried out by neuroscientists and clinicians around the world.”

Further information at www.cureparkinsons.org.uk