Tipperary Branch: Celebrating 20 Years of Giving

Two decades ago, husband and wife John & Mary Carey from Upperchurch, Thurles had a shared vision to make a difference in the lives of local families who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in the area. They formed the Tipperary Parkinson’s Ireland Branch. The Branch recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary, having helped hundreds of individuals and families in the community through its services and dedication.

John & Mary began as a grassroots effort to provide information and support. Over the years it has grown from a small operation with a handful of volunteers into a key player in the local community of Tipperary with a dedicated Committee and countless Volunteers supporting our cause.

Over the past two decades Tipperary Parkinson’s Ireland has provided Monthly meetings and weekly meetings with guest speakers, Yoga and Physiotherapy exercise classes and a sing along session which is as good as speech therapy. Our Branch and Association receive no Government funding and we are totally relying on fundraising and contributions to keep our Association activities going.

Tipperary Parkinson’s Ireland has changed the lives of many of their members who were struggling to come to terms with their diagnosis and didn’t know where to get information on their diagnosis. The Branch members interact with new members and can send them leaflets through the post or indeed meet them if they so wish which helps them to rebuild their lives and give back to others.

This achievement would not have been possible without the generous support of our donors and volunteers. A special thank you goes to Mary and John Carey whose contribution have helped and propelled us to this milestone.

As Tipperary Parkinson’s Ireland enters its third decade, the future looks bright. With plans to extend our services, launch new programmes and reach out to more families in need of our services. We are excited to continue our mission and create lasting change for years to come.

To celebrate this important milestone, Tipperary Parkinson’s Ireland successfully hosted a wonderful celebration at The Order of Malta Centre,Thurles, on Thursday, 5th June. Members of the community, along with former members, gathered to mark 20 years of impact. It was a joyful and memorable occasion, offering guests the opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s achievements and learn how they can continue to support its mission into the future.

Looking back at the past 20 years Tipperary Parkinson’s Ireland is proud of their achievements but we are more excited about the difference we can make in the future. Together we can continue to build a brighter, more compassionate community for patients with Parkinson’s disease.