Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

A couple from Caerphilly have raised £1,385 after they leapt out of a plane over the Gower Peninsula, reaching speeds of 135mph all in the name of Parkinson’s.

Nurse Cheryl Williams and husband Dean descended from around 10,000 feet in memory of Cheryl’s late father, Graham Booth, who suffered from Parkinson’s-Plus Syndromes.

Parkinson-Plus Syndromes have many of the same features as Parkinson’s, such as rigidity, a tremor, and unsteady balance. However, Parkinson-Plus Syndromes respond poorly to the standard treatments for Parkinson’s.

Cheryl, a dedicated health worker working across Gwent with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, started out as a district nurse, a job which she did for ten years. 

Her current role as a Parkinson’s nurse, which she began in 2018 after her father’s diagnosis, was initially funded for 18 months by Parkinson’s UK Cymru, and she says that she undertook the jump to give something back.

Cheryl said: “Dad was always fit and well and he was given this diagnosis fairly soon after his retirement. It had a big impact on him because he was always such an active person.”

Mr Booth was diagnosed with Parkinson’s aged 62 before passing away seven years later aged 69.

Cheryl continued: “He was falling backwards a lot and he noticed that his eye gaze wasn’t very good. He struggled to look upwards. That’s where the Parkinson-Plus Syndromes diagnosis came into it.

“We had support from occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and the speech and language team were heavily involved as well.

“My job is rewarding. I can see it from a personal side of things and I try my best to accomplish from a professional side. It’s tough because it’s a constant reminder, especially when we have the Parkinson’s – Plus patients coming into the clinic. You can see how much pressure the condition can affect them as a family.”

On the skydive itself, the mother-of-two said: “Obviously I was nervous before the skydive. There were a bit of mixed emotions. I was excited but nervous because obviously I wanted the parachute to open.

“Once the parachute went up you could appreciate the views. It was a beautiful day. There was glorious sunshine with fabulous views, so I really enjoyed that bit. However, it was a relief to land.

“It was also my dad’s birthday, so the date meant a lot to me. I suppose I couldn’t have got much closer to him that day.”

Karen Miles, senior Parkinson’s adviser for Wales at Parkinson’s UK said: “What Cheryl has done to raise money for Parkinson’s UK Cymru with the skydive is absolutely amazing. She’s very brave and we’re incredibly grateful for what she’s done.

“Having worked closely with Cheryl to support people with Parkinson’s, I know how dedicated she is to her job, and with this skydive she’s taken that dedication to another level.”