Teams from Vital Energi and Parkinson’s support community, Northern Lights, took to the pitch in a walking football tournament at Witton Park, Blackburn on Friday 26th July, a highlight for everyone involved for the second consecutive year.
Based in the North West, Northern Lights (NLPD) is a self-funded, voluntary organisation which offers support and help to people with Parkinson’s disease - a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination – and brings people together by introducing them to the joys of walking football.
A great way to stay fit and potentially relieve some of the symptoms of Parkinson's, walking football also allows participants to learn new skills and make friends with those in a similar situation.
As part of Vital Energi’s commitment to sponsoring the team for the next five years, and after last year’s successful tournament, almost 30 Vital players took to the pitch against teams from NLPD’s walking football club.
Six teams battled it out, and following an intense penalty shootout, NLPDs’ B team was crowned the worthy winner.
Steve Ashworth, member of NLPD who helped establish the relationship with Vital Energi and organised the tournament, said:
“We approached Gary Fielding, back in April 2023 to talk about a possible sponsorship of NLPD. The 2023 football tournament schedule was forecast to be a busy year for NLPD and had the potential to be successful in our quest for trophies.
“Whilst the actual day to day activities can be considered to be miles apart, Vital Energi and NLPD share the same values. They both have a desire and drive to be the best at what they do, in their respective roles within the renewable energy and charitable sectors.
“The inaugural NLPD v Vital Energi match in 2023 set off a relationship that we envisage to be successful for the long term. Whilst there was a significant age difference between the players, there was obvious mutual respect, and that respect has followed through to this year. The guys at Northern Lights are still buzzing about the tournament last week, what a superb day it was.
“NLPD are scheduled to travel to Oslo in September where we’ll be playing against Parkinson’s walking football teams from across Europe to win the Ray Kennedy Cup.”
NLPD Player Spotlight
As a family with their five children, Christine and Keith McIndoe have been living with Parkinson’s for the last 12 years, and through the support of NLPD and an innovative brain implant, they have finally seen light at the end of the tunnel.
Keith, aged 44, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 12 years ago, and after trying all the medication available to no avail and losing his job as he couldn’t control the symptoms, he was put forward for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, which has transformed his outlook on life.
DBS surgery is where fine wires that are inserted into specific areas of the brain, connected to a pulse generator, and when switched on, the electrodes deliver high-frequency stimulation to the targeted area. This stimulation changes some of the electrical signals in the brain that cause the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
“Myself and Keith have been together for 22 years, and the last 12 have really put us to the test as a family,” said Christine. “Keith took the role of stepdad to my eldest children, and grandad to their children, and we also have two boys together, Josh (21) and Lewis (17), both with DiGeorge and Autism.
“Since the successful surgery in 2022, Keith has a completely new lease of life. We’ve fallen back in love, we’ve have just got married following Keith’s proposal last December. And we can’t wait for our honeymoon in Norway in September with the rest of the Northern Lights team!
“NLPD is our family. They have changed our lives, provided us with endless support, we’ve made friends, and are now doing things we didn’t think possible, like going on holiday, and playing in walking football tournaments in Glasgow. If anyone is down or feeling they can't cope there always someone at NLPD to pick you back up!
“A Parkinson’s diagnosis is not the end, but the beginning. No matter what you have on in your life, we can still fight and continue to be happy!”
During the tournament, the tombola and raffle raised £335. This will go towards the running of the charity, and ensure members like Christine and Keith have a safe haven with unlimited support.
Find out more about NLPD by clicking here.
