Jonathan White, a resident of Cheltenham diagnosed with Parkinson’s three years ago, is embarking on an extraordinary 3,300km cycling journey across the United States. His goal is to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s UK as well as his local support group.
Alongside other cyclists living with Parkinson’s, Jonathan is participating in the ‘Pedal to Phoenix’ challenge, which concludes at the World Parkinson’s Congress in Phoenix this May. The team will spend approximately 36 days cycling down the West Coast, passing through iconic cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, before tackling the Arizona desert en route to Phoenix.
Throughout the challenge, the cyclists will ascend about 95,000 feet — roughly three times the height of Mount Everest — and cover a distance exceeding that of the 2026 Tour de France route. This epic feat highlights both determination and the positive effects of exercise on those living with Parkinson’s.
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Jonathan shared, “Since my diagnosis, I’ve committed to annual cycling challenges to raise money and promote awareness. ‘Pedal to Phoenix’ is my biggest challenge yet and an ideal way to mark this significant global event.”
Last year, Jonathan completed the demanding Arctic Challenge, cycling over 600km across Norway’s Lofoten Islands while climbing 4,500 metres through fjords and mountains. Fourteen of the twenty-two riders in that event, including Jonathan, are living with Parkinson’s.
As chair of the Parkinson’s UK support group in Cheltenham since 2022, Jonathan has raised over £8,000 through various fundraising efforts. He emphasizes, “This ride showcases what people with Parkinson’s can accomplish, underlines the importance of exercise, and supports the vital work of Parkinson’s UK. Sharing our journey helps raise awareness and brings us closer to a cure.”
Ruth Wright, Community Fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK’s South West region, commented, “We are deeply grateful to Jonathan and his fellow riders for their dedication. Parkinson’s affects 166,000 people in the UK alone and presents over 40 symptoms, including tremor, pain, and anxiety. Although there is currently no cure, efforts like these make a meaningful difference.”
Parkinson’s UK notes that someone in the UK is diagnosed with Parkinson’s every 20 minutes. The global number of those affected is projected to double to 25 million by 2050, making fundraising and awareness efforts more critical than ever.