WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols visited Rock Steady Boxing Widnes and Warrington at their Parkinson’s Hub to learn more about their work with local residents.
Rock Steady Boxing is a not-for-profit organisation providing fitness classes to people living with Parkinson’s disease to enhance their quality of life and start to feel and function better. Through the exercise programme Rock Steady Boxing provides, members are able to improve their balance, posture, movement, dexterity, motor skills and agility which helps address tremors and overall fitness levels using non-contact boxing drills within a friendly environment.
Charlotte said: “I really enjoyed being put through my paces this morning at Rock Steady Boxing Widnes and Warrington. Lead coach Tommy, who has Parkinson’s explained how each of the exercises helps with managing symptoms of the condition and was pushing everyone to get the most out of every drill. My favourite part of the training was Noodle Fencing, which is a really fun way to work on balance and co-ordination. My arms are still sore, and Tommy told me my plank looks like Runcorn Bridge so I’ve definitely got work to do to improve”.
According to Parkinson’s UK there are 153,000 people in the UK live with Parkinson’s disease. With population growth and aging this is likely to rise to 172,000 by 2030.
In 2024 the Government committed £30 million to support UK-based research into Parkinson’s Disease over the next five years at the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MCR-PPU) at the University of Dundee.
If you would like to find out more about Rock Steady Boxing, use the service or volunteer visit their website at www.rsbww.co.uk or search for their Facebook page.
