‘The Big Walk’ from Preston to London is the charity fundraiser taking place on 29 August 2016 organised by Luke Parkinson to help raise money for his disabled brother Dean.

Dean has severe and profound mental and physical disabilities which can trigger challenging behaviour such as banging on walls during the night, shouting and throwing things around the room leading him to need constant 2:1 support.

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Luke has planned the walk in the hope of raising £3000 to supply specialist ROMPA sensory equipment that will help improve Dean’s quality of life.

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Luke said: “The main reason for the walk is I have just finished my foundation community degree which is all about improving communities and individual’s lives.

“My brother, mum and dad have had 34 years’ lack of sleep and I want to see if I could raise some money to improve their lives.

“I am going to do more for other individuals around Preston.”

A small team will start from Preston Flag Market on the morning of 29 August and hope to finish the walk at London Tower Bridge within four days, depending on Dean, who can have up to 30 seizures a day.

The fundraiser will have a set route, making three stops at Buxton, Ashbourne and Northampton, and will involve many A roads, pushing up hills, and ‘blood, sweat and laughter.’

This will be Luke’s first major fundraising event but there is already more exciting ones in the planning stage to help other individuals in similar circumstances.

He said: “As the walk grows closer I feel the nerves will kick in, and the painful feet too.”

You can donate through Dean’s Just Giving Page or follow their Facebook Page.