OXFORDSHIRE volunteers are needed to help find a cure for Parkinson’s.

Charity Parkinson’s UK needs to recruit 1,000 volunteers from across the Thames Valley to take part in a series of tests to look at better ways to diagnose the disease at the earliest possible stage.

In 2009, the charity presented a £5m Monument Discovery Award to a team of scientists at Oxford University.

The groundbreaking project, funded by The Monument Trust, brings together a world-class team of researchers to accelerate progress towards a cure for Parkinson’s.

Of the 1,000 volunteers, 700 people need to have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s within the past three years, and 300 people need to have a brother or sister with the condition.

Paul Beadle, 58, who has Parkinson’s and is a member of Parkinson’s UK’s Banbury group, has already taken part.

He said: “I spent half an hour filling in the questionnaire at home. It asked in-depth questions about my health, symptoms, and possible environmental factors that may contribute to Parkinson’s developing. The whole process took about two hours. A painless blood test was taken and then motor skills tests were carried out like balancing on one foot and how well I could manipulate my hands.”

To find out more, email joanna.glennon@nhs.net or call 01865 234892.

Information is also available at www.parkinsons.org.uk/discoveryaward