Professor
Robert Sneyd
Dean of the ñ University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry

A former Dean of the medical school at the ñ has walked ñޘthe hard wayñޙ up Britainñޙs highest mountain in aid of the Universityñޙs Parkinsonñޙs research.

Emeritus Professor Rob Sneyd, who himself has Parkinsonñޙs, completed the Carn Mor Dearg arrêté route up Ben Nevis. Known among walkers as the ñޘhorseshoeñޙ route, the climb is pathless, involves scrambling over rocks, and is far less trodden than the more visited tourist route.

Managing to complete the climb alongside three friends and colleagues, including Professor of Health Services Research, Adrian Taylor, Professor Sneyd has raised over £4,000 for Parkinsonñޙs research at the ñ, via the Peninsula Medical Foundation. He is hoping to reach a £5,000 target.
The funding will be divided between clinical and laboratory-based Parkinsonñޙs research at the University. The Applied Parkinsonñޙs Research Group is nationally recognised for its clinical trials on neuroprotective interventions in Parkinsonñޙs; while the laboratory research focuses on understanding Parkinsonñޙs at the cellular level. 
Rob Sneyd and Adrian Taylor on Ben Nevis

Professor Sneyd said:

ñޜMaking my way up and down the steep slopes on dodgy, and sometimes loose, boulders was a pretty severe test of core stability, and thankfully Adrian (Taylor) kindly positioned himself immediately below me on the bits where I was most likely fall. Ben Nevis takes about four hours to climb, and as long again to descend, so neurologically I was running-on-empty. Parkinsonñޙs plus loose rock isnñޙt a great combination, but Iñޙm really pleased I got through it.

ñޜThe support so far has been great, and Iñޙm very grateful to anyone who wants to donate to this really important cause.ñޝ

Camille Carroll - plymouth pioneers
Dr Camille Carroll, Associate Professor in Neurology and Honorary Consultant Neurologist at University Hospitals ñ NHS Trust, said: 
ñޜIt was wonderful to work alongside Rob when he was Dean, and his tenacity in managing his Parkinsonñޙs post-retirement is fantastic. Intrinsic to our work is our person-centred approach and digital innovation, and all funds raised will ensure that vital work carries on to help and empower people with Parkinsonñޙs to live well with their condition.ñޝ

Professor of Neurodegenerative Diseases, and lead of the laboratory-based Parkinsonñޙs Research Group, Edgar Kramer, added: 

ñޜWe are so grateful to Rob and the team for choosing to support our work. When money comes from personal fundraising in any capacity, we ensure every penny is used to take the next steps, however small, as every piece of information could help us solve the puzzle of what causes, and can ultimately cure, Parkinsonñޙs. Thank you to everyone involved.ñޝ 


Dr Edgar Kramer
Home-based Parkinson's care - Getty Images

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