An Oxford woman diagnosed with Parkinson's is hosting a communal cream tea to mark World Parkinson's Day. 

Sally Bromley, 73, has organised a communal cream tea at Seacourt Hall in Botley, where those attending can take part in baking scones.

'The Big Cream Tea' event is open to anyone on Saturday, April 15, at 3pm and the cause is close to Ms Bromley’s heart as she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2008 at the age of 59.

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Ms Bromley has previously chaired the Parkinson’s UK Oxford branch between 2014 and 2021 and she was elected to the charity’s board of trustees in 2021.

She hopes the event, which comes soon after World Parkinson’s Day on Tuesday, will bring people together and raise vital funds for the charity.

Speaking personally about her condition, Ms Bromley said: “I’m totally supported by medication, which I have to take every two hours.

“It only deals with the symptoms, which is very irritating.

“If I am late taking my dose, I get dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements), a tremor and I drool.”

Ms Bromley said making sure she was regularly doing exercise helped combat the condition and she said ballet was particularly “brilliant” and “so much fun”.

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Paul Jackson Clark, Director of Fundraising and Experience at Parkinson’s UK, said he was delighted that Sally’s “army of bakers” was getting together to raise money.

He said: “We are delighted that Sally and her army of bakers are hosting this wonderful cream tea and celebrating World Parkinson’s Day.

“With more than 40 potential symptoms, Parkinson’s can devastate lives. We’ve made huge breakthroughs in the last 50 years, but there is still no cure and current treatments are not good enough.

“There are so many ways to join Sally and get involved with World Parkinson’s Day, from encouraging a local building or landmark to light up blue for the day, writing poetry, to organising your own fundraising event.

"Without people’s generosity, our work would not be possible."

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Currently there is no cure to Parkinson’s, and it is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, with around 145,000 people affected in the UK.

People suffering from Parkinson’s can experience over 40 symptoms, and these include tremors and anxiety.

Ms Bromely admitted that finding a cure would be “hard” but she pointed to the importance of events such as the communal tea in raising the funds needed for research.

She said: “Parkinson’s UK are determined to improve treatments and help people live better with the condition.

“Events like this can raise funds for their research.

“I’m really excited to see what our first Big Cream Tea can do for the whole Parkinson’s community.”

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People residing in care homes in Oxford will also be able to join those participating in ‘The Big Cream Tea’ over Zoom and Ms Bromley said the get together had been nicknamed ‘the Neurovision Scone Contest’.

World Parkinson’s Day is marked across the UK by community events and some of the nation’s most recognisable buildings will light up blue at night.