Honour for hardworking Jill

Jill Normington has helped scores of Parkinson’s sufferers in Peterborough

A Peterborough woman who has worked tirelessly to help people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease has been recognised with a top award.

Jill Normington from Peterborough, is the 2017 recipient of the British Geriatrics Society Special Medal Award.

The BGS Special Medal, is an external award recognising individuals whose contribution to promoting the health and wellbeing of older people throughout society has been outstanding.

Over the years, Jill has been involved with a number of local and national service improvement projects to ensure people affected by Parkinson’s get the best out of health and social care services.

Shehaspassionatelychampioned Parkinson’s UK’s Get It on Time campaign to ensure hospital patients with Parkinson’s, receive their medication on time so that their hospital stay can be as successful as possible.

Jill has also driven forward a Parkinson’s Care Group at Peterborough’s City Hospital and as a result of their collaboration, there is now information for patients with Parkinson’s and their carers.

Jill, who has had Parkinson’s for two decades, said: “I am very pleased to receive this award and to have been able to contribute to improving the lives of people affected by Parkinson’s.

“I know from my own experience of living with the condition for 20 years that being connected to the right information and support available is vital.

“The Peterborough Parkinson’s group which provides a range of exercise and social activities that are accessible to all, especially to older members is something I am particularly proud of.”

Julie Wilson, Area Development Manager for Peterborough at Parkinson’s UK, congratulated Jill on her award.

She said: “We are delighted Jill has been awarded with the Special Medal.

“As a member of the Peterborough branch since 1997 she has been at the heart of any local inclusion events working to ensure older people with Parkinson’s are supported as much as possible.

“When they have needed advice about the condition, or needed a friendly ear to listen to their concerns, Jill has been the one that the branch members have turned to for help.”

Parkinson’s affects 127,000 people in the UK. The main symptoms of the condition are tremor, slowness of movement and rigidity.

For advice, information and support, visit www.parkinsons.org.uk.

Jill collects her award