Marc beats his target
Parkinsons night fundraiser
A Strath Parkinson’s sufferer who set his sights on raising £60,000 in his 60th year for research into the condition has smashed his target ahead of schedule.
When Marc van Grieken announced his mammoth challenge in January friends and colleagues, who Marc dubbed the ‘Shaky Team from Shaky Toun’, rallied round to help.
The Comrie resident was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 10 years ago and although the condition has progressed it didn’t stopped stop the determined landscape architect from kicking off the fundraising by taking part in the 82-mile Etape Caledonia cycle in May.
Supporters also organised a fashion show and his daughter Lottie and her friends - known as ‘ the Comrie Crusaders’ - completed the Glasgow 10k.
Hundreds of donations also flooded in on Marc’s Justgiving page and at the many other events he staged.
But it was a fundraising dinner and auction held recently in Crieff that pushed Marc’s efforts up to £65,000.
He told the Herald: “Whilst I have always maintained optimism that I would eventually reach my £60,000 fundraising target because of the overwhelming positive support, I was not prepared for the huge success of the fundraising dinner which was held on Friday last in Glenturret Distillery in Crieff.
“The dinner, sponsored by Entier/Wild Thyme, was attended by 130 guests.
“Ticket sales for the dinner alone raised more than £ 4500 towards my target.
“Both local and not-so- local businesses had generously donated valuable items to be auctioned off in what I’d termed a ‘shaky auction’.
“The auction benefited from a professional auctioneer who knew how to engage an interested and very supportive audience.
“I still cannot quite believe it, but at the end of the night the event raised more than £18,000 – lifting the total raised this year to over £65,000.
“I have no doubt the serious words spoken by top scientists Dr Miratul Muqit and Dr Esther Sammler stimulated engagement.
“I am extremely grateful to all those who donated auction items to Entier/ Wilde Thyme, and to all the volunteers who prepared the wonderful food, the event managers who ensured smooth running and volunteers who served food etc. Thanks also to Kenny Cormack and to The Erratics.”
Marc continued jokingly: “Having met my target I say a final big thank you to everyone who supported me and do just wonder if I should change my target to £70,000?”
Siobhán O’Hara, e a s t Scotland regional fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK, said the charity was “humbled” by Marc’s efforts.
She stated: “Working alongside Marc this year has been an absolute pleasure.
“His positive attitude, sense of humour and enthusiasm has motivated friends, neighbours and his business contacts to get on board and help him achieve his £60,000 target and beyond.
“Thanks to the generous support of donors and attendees, the ‘Shaky Dinner’ was a triumph and raised more than anyone anticipated.
“The kindness and generosity of Marc’s circle of friends and contacts has been overwhelming.
“On behalf of Parkinson’s UK and those living with Parkinson’s who will benefit from the funds raised to research the condition, we are humbled by Marc and his family’s efforts, and extremely grateful to everyone who has been on this journey with him.
“We rely on the support of individuals like Marc and hope that our research will bring forward the day where we can treat Parkinson’s more effectively and ultimately cure this life-changing condition.
“Congratulations to Marc and the team!”