A WOMAN from Musselburgh has raised money for a local Parkinson’s UK Scotland group after appearing on BBC TV's ‘Money for Nothing’.
Anne McDonald, 70, was approached by the show’s host, Sarah Moore, after taking a trip to Kinwegar recycling centre near Wallyford during a clear-out.
Following on from that chance meeting, BBC host Sarah took Anne’s unwanted wood and helped turn it into beautiful sunburst mirrors returning with £220 and showing her the final results.
Anne’s husband Willy, a former PE teacher, has lived with Parkinson’s since 2019 and benefits from the local Edinburgh Parkinson’s Branch.
The progressive neurological condition causes problems in the brain and there are three main symptoms – tremor (shaking), slowness of movement and rigidity (muscle stiffness) – but there are many other symptoms too.
Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson’s in the UK and is said to be the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.
Anne decided to donate that cash, which totalled £275 after Gift Aid, to the branch to help fund further activities.
She said: "We've been able to get involved in one or two of the Edinburgh Branch's organised things and it's been really fun. It's nice to go and catch up with others and we've made friends with other couples there.
"They do so much and a lot of it is for nothing so that's why I wanted to give back to them with the money."
Anne said: "We were clearing out the garage to get it re-roofed. My husband's a bit of a hoarder and we had this wood lying around and we took it down to the dump at Kinwegar.
"Unbeknown to us, Sarah Moore who presents Money for Nothing turned up and asked if she would mind if they took it.
"Willy wasn't dressed for the camera because he was the one clearing it all out! So I did the wee interview and it all stemmed from there.
"That was over a year ago and then they came back in August to do the follow-up and tell us how they got on with it and that's it just recently been on the TV.
"Willy was diagnosed just over three years ago. Fortunately, it's been kind of slow but it's not going to get better as we all know.
"We've been able to get involved in one or two of the Edinburgh branch's organised things and it's been really fun. It's nice to go and catch up with others and we've made friends with other couples there.
"Willy also goes to the physio and he goes to the PD Warriors which he loves because he used to be a PE teacher.
"They do so much and a lot of it is for nothing so that's why I wanted to give back to them with the money."
James Jopling, Scotland Director of Parkinson's UK, said: "It was great to see Anne’s appearance on Money for Nothing and we are so grateful she chose to donate it to the Edinburgh Parkinson’s Branch.
"We are sure that the group will put the money to good use and continue to be of great benefit to those who live with Parkinson’s in the area."
You can watch the show at the following link – www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00183mf/money-for-nothing-series-12-episode-1
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