A MUM-OF-TWO who vowed to raise money in aid of Parkinson's Disease - before being diagnosed with the condition herself - is preparing to walk the Great Wall of China.

Jackie Potter, 54, from Strensall, had pledged to support Parkinson's UK by climbing Mount Kilamanjaro after her closest friend Janet lost her mother to the degenerative disease in 2004.

However when Jackie became pregnant with twins the following year her plans were put on hold as she became mum to her daughters Abbie and Ellie, now nine.

But the disease returned to the forefront of her mind again after she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease three years ago. Jackie has since pledged to take on the remarkable challenge of trekking for seven days along the Great Wall of China in aid of Parkinson's UK.

She said: "It was a terrible shock to me, my family and few close friends who knew at that time.

"A 'roller coaster of a ride' best describes the past three years, but I can honestly say I have not wasted any time in filling each day with things that really matter.

“I want to take part in Trek China to prove that I can challenge myself despite having Parkinson’s. I pledge to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK to find a cure and give hope to the many thousands of people like me with Parkinson’s who battle with the condition most days.

“My twin daughters and husband David are helping me with my fundraising. David only found out about my plan to do the trek after I received confirmation of my place. Nothing was going to stop me from going."

Jackie’s trek in September will take her across beautiful hills and mountains and will last for seven days.

She has pledged to raise £3,300 for the cause towards research work to find a cure, and improve the lives of the 127,000 people in the UK who are living with Parkinson’s.

Parkinson's is a degenerative neurological condition, for which there currently is no cure.

The main symptoms of the condition are tremor, slowness of movement and rigidity although symptoms can vary greatly.

Paul Jackson-Clark, Director of Fundraising at Parkinson’s UK, said: “Trekking China and learning about the history of the Great Wall is an experience of a lifetime, and a fantastic way to raise vital funds to support our work.

“Trekking over 6,000km is a huge challenge and we are incredibly grateful to Jackie for her support. I hope that Jackie will have an experience she will never forget, and that her story will inspire others to think about signing up for Trek China or a future overseas event for the charity.”

To sponsor Jackie visit: www.justgiving.com/Jkpotter