Russia’s war with Ukraine will determine future of Europe, Zelensky warns
Volodymyr Zelensky has said the Russia–Ukraine conflict will “determine the future of Europe” ahead of the anticipated G7 summit next week.
In a post online, the Ukrainian president said his country is making “the greatest sacrifices for Europe” as it fights for its independence.
He wrote: “We are not simply carrying out internal reforms, nor are we simply going through a transformation. We are fighting for our state, for our independence, and for our right to choose our own path and to be Europe.
“That is why the fate of Europe is being decided here – it is being decided in Ukraine, in this war, and in how this war ends – and whether Russia will still have the strength and the desire after this war to threaten the existence of Ukraine and its other neighbors, and the entirety of Europe.”
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It comes as Ukraine has used AI-powered “terminator” drones to kill Russian soldiers without human oversight for the first time, a senior military general has claimed.
Alexander Kokhanovskyy, a senior figure in Ukraine’s defence industry, said that AI-controlled drones were used on the frontline in a one-off test.
It has not yet been implemented more widely after the test took place two years ago, he told the New Scientist.
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Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant reconnected to grid after IAEA-brokered ceasefire
Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was reconnected to the grid following repairs carried out under an IAEA-brokered localised ceasefire after the facility lost all off-site power for nearly three days, the International Atomic Energy Agency said on Saturday.
The outage marked the 19th time the plant has lost off-site power since the start of the war, after an attack on an electrical substation across the Dnipro River disconnected the Ferosplavna back-up power line late on Wednesday.
Lasting almost three days, it was one of the site’s longest power loss events, forcing the facility to rely on emergency diesel generators for the electricity it needs to cool its six shutdown reactors.
Shweta Sharma14 June 2026 07:00
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Trump and Macron will meet over dinner at Versailles palace after G7 summit in France
Donald Trump and French president Emmanuel Macron will meet over dinner at the glittering Palace of Versailles near Paris after the G7 summit of leading industrialised nations next week in France, their governments announced Saturday.
The wars in Ukraine and Iran are also expected to be front and center.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will also be at the summit. A formal meeting between Trump and Zelensky is not currently scheduled, officials told reporters, though they could meet on the sidelines.
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Trump, who is trying to make progress on finalising an Iran war deal in the coming days, is expected to have a busy schedule of one-on-one meetings with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the summit in the French lakeside town of Evian-les-Bains, according to senior administration officials who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.
Trump also plans individual meetings on the sidelines of the summit, which opens Monday, with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and United Arab Emirates to discuss efforts to wind down the Iran war.
Macron’s office said the French president will host Trump for a dinner Wednesday to mark the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States, at the Palace of Versailles, “a historic symbol of Franco-American friendship.”
Shweta Sharma14 June 2026 06:39
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One killed in Russia’s Krasnodar after Ukrainian strike
A person was killed and three were injured in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region in a Ukrainian drone attack, local officials said.
Drone debris sparked a fire at a sea terminal, local governor Veniamin Kondratyev said.
He did not give details, but Russian news outlets reported that a Black Sea export terminal transporting terminal crude oil, petroleum products and liquefied gas in the village of Volna was damaged.
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Ukraine’s General Staff did not comment on the Krasnodar strike Saturday, but said that its forces had hit an oil preparation and pumping station overnight in Russia’s Volgograd region, as well as Russian-occupied areas in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The attack comes after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said his country’s forces had struck several military and energy infrastructure sites deep inside Russia, including a military factory that he said supplied components for Russian drones and missiles.
Shweta Sharma14 June 2026 06:23
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Russia will be ready to attack Nato in three years, says German army chief
Russia will be ready to “invade a Nato partner” by 2029, a German army chief has warned.
In an interview with Politico, he said “speed is of the essence” as he urged German leaders to increase investment in the country’s military.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain14 June 2026 06:00
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Hungary’s missing €3.5 billion – and the move to investigate Orban’s inner circle
Central to the latest allegations are claims that several communications companies were awarded contracts from the Hungarian government to the tune of €10bn over the past four years – roughly €3.5bn of which the Hungarian Integrity Authority (HIA) believes may be the result of artificially inflated pricing.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain14 June 2026 05:00
Russians are finding ways to skirt Putin’s digital iron curtain – one phone at a time
In a quiet cafe popular for its free Wi-Fi and good coffee, a Russian interior designer logs onto a virtual private network so she can chat with friends abroad using the U.S. messaging service WhatsApp, which is blocked inside Russia.
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Later, she toggles off the VPN to buy a ticket on the Russian Railways website, which bars anyone using the tools to obscure their location. She then picks up a second phone to check for messages from clients on the state-controlled app MAX.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain14 June 2026 04:00
Trump to meet with Mideast leaders, attend Ukraine session at G7, US officials say
Donald Trump will meet with Middle Eastern leaders and attend a working session with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the G7 summit in France next week, senior U.S. administration officials said on Saturday.
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Trump is scheduled to travel to Evian, France, for the G7 summit early on Monday after attending Sunday’s mixed martial arts event at the White House. He will speak to a number of European leaders with whom he has squabbled over trade, tariffs, Ukraine and NATO since his return to the White House early in 2025.
Trump will participate in a working session on Tuesday with Zelensky and G7 leaders. The meeting comes at a time when Russian advances in Ukraine have slowed and Ukraine seeks more military funding from its allies.
One of the senior U.S. officials, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity about Trump’s trip, said Russian gains have “more or less stopped.”
“We want the war to end as quickly as possible,” the official said. Trump has had up-and-down relations with Zelensky. No bilateral meeting was planned with Zelensky but the two leaders could meet on the sidelines of the summit, the officials added.
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They said Trump would meet separately with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, France and India. Trump planned to raise issues of shared importance with leaders at the summit, including economic growth and development, supply chain resilience, illegal migration and AI, one of the officials said. He also planned to work on boosting resilience in the supply chain for critical minerals needed for advanced technologies.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain14 June 2026 03:00
Ukrainian drone strike kills 1 in southern Russia and triggers fire at sea terminal
A Ukrainian drone attack killed one person and injured three in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region, local officials said Saturday, as part of Kyiv’s campaign of strikes on military and energy targets deep inside Russia.
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Drone debris sparked a fire at a sea terminal, local Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev said.
He did not give details, but Russian news outlets reported that a Black Sea export terminal transporting terminal crude oil, petroleum products and liquefied gas in the village of Volna was damaged.
Ukraine’s General Staff did not comment on the Krasnodar strike Saturday, but said that its forces had hit an oil preparation and pumping station overnight in Russia’s Volgograd region, as well as Russian-occupied areas in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The attack comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country’s forces had struck several military and energy infrastructure sites deep inside Russia, including a military factory that he said supplied components for Russian drones and missiles.
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He said Wednesday that Ukrainian FP-5 Flamingo long-range missiles had hit the facility in Cheboksary, in the Chuvashiya region, more than 900 kilometers (560 miles) from the front line.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain14 June 2026 02:00
Russia’s war with Ukraine will determine future of Europe, Zelensky warns
Maryam Zakir-Hussain14 June 2026 01:00
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Conflict will determine future of Europe, Zelensky warns
Volodymyr Zelensky has said the Russia–Ukraine conflict will “determine the future of Europe” in comments ahead of anticipated G7 summit next week.
In a post online, the Ukrainian president said his country is making “the greatest sacrifices for Europe” as it fights for its independence.
He wrote: “We are not simply carrying out internal reforms, nor are we simply going through a transformation. We are fighting for our state, for our independence, and for our right to choose our own path and to be Europe.
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“That is why the fate of Europe is being decided here – it is being decided in Ukraine, in this war, and in how this war ends – and whether Russia will still have the strength and the desire after this war to threaten the existence of Ukraine and its other neighbors, and the entirety of Europe.”
The first festival of its kind in the Tees Valley and Stockton, the Deaf Empowering Festival, will take place on Saturday, August 8 at Egglescliffe School from 10am.
Organised by the Deaf Empowering Network (DEN), the event promises a full day of workshops, live shows, games, food, and artisan stalls.
Craig Jones, chief executive of DEN, said: “As CEO, I am incredibly proud to see the Deaf Empowering Festival come to life – the first deaf-led festival of its kind in Stocktonand the Tees Valley.
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“This is a landmark moment for our region and a true celebration of Deaf culture, empowerment and community.
“It brings Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of hearing people, children of Deaf adults, alongside parents of Deaf children, right to the heart of where they belong: visible, valued and celebrated.
“This is more than a festival; it is a powerful movement, breaking barriers, raising awareness and driving real inclusion across our communities.”
DEN is a deaf-led organisation with a mission to enable better life choices for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of hearing people.
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The festival aims to strengthen community ties, improve access to information, and foster a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.
A host of deaf celebrities and guests will join the day, including TV star and celebrity cook Yvonne Cobb, comedian Gavin Lilley, and England/GB Deaf Footballer and Captain, Jamie Clarke.
Visitors can also enjoy an interactive session with Julie, founder of BSL Animal Care, on animal health and first aid, BSL song performances, and BSL taster sessions.
Family-friendly activities include a bouncy castle, basketball shoot-out and penalty shoot-out, and more.
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Emergency services such as Cleveland Fire Brigade and Cleveland Police will be present, with police offering a drone demonstration.
Health charity SignHealth will also be offering information.
The festival is sponsored by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland.
Entry is just £1, payable by cash on the day, and includes a raffle ticket.
Cavan v Dublin Live stream and TV information, throw-in time, betting odds and all you need to know ahead of today’s All-Ireland Football Championship clash
Everything you need to know about the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Round 2B clash between Cavan and Dublin on Sunday, June 14
Cavan take on Dublin this weekend in Round 2B of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
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Cavan enter this fixture on the back of a gut-wrenching extra-time loss to Westmeath in Round 1, fully aware that any further slip-ups could spell the end of their campaign.
Dublin, meanwhile, find themselves under considerable pressure following their stunning defeat to Louth. The Dubs have endured a torrid run by their own high standards, having also fallen short in the Leinster Championship, and anything other than a win on Sunday would bring their season to an early close.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the fixture:.
The annual Witches Coven gathering will return to York’s Patrick Pool on Saturday, June 20, at 6pm.
Hosted by the Hocus Pocus Hotel, the free event promises an evening of mystical entertainment, storytelling and family-friendly fun in the centre of York.
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Camelia Andrei, owner of the Hocus Pocus Hotel, said: “The Coven is all about bringing together a community of like-minded people who share a love of magic.
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“Every year, we welcome visitors from across the UK, and it’s wonderful to see new friendships form and familiar faces return.
“As we celebrate four years of Hocus Pocus Hotel, we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”
Attendees at the last Witches Coven (Image: Provided)
Guests can enjoy blessings, complimentary drinks from The Potions Cauldron, chamber visits and the popular Coven Couture Contest.
Wristbands are also available in the Hocus Pocus shop which offer attendees exclusive discounts, experiences, and gifts.
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York’s storyteller Mad Alice will also return to lead an atmospheric evening tour through the city’s historic streets.
Attendees at the last Witches Coven (Image: Provided)
Vincent Roberts, owner of the Hocus Pocus Hotel, said: “When we opened Hocus Pocus four years ago, we never imagined quite how many people would connect with what we were building.
“The Coven has become a chance to bring that community together in person and celebrate everything the hotel stands for.”
For more information visit https://hocuspocusyork.com/events/
Tyrone v Mayo Live stream and TV information, throw-in time, betting odds and all you need to know ahead of today’s All-Ireland Football Championship clash
Tyrone face Mayo at O’Neill’s Healy Park, Omagh on Sunday in All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Round 2A – here’s how to watch and everything you need to know
Tyrone take on Mayo this weekend in Round 2A of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
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Tyrone enter the fixture hoping to capitalise on their opening-round win and make the most of playing at home in Omagh.
Mayo, on the other hand, come into the match in high spirits following their victory over Monaghan in Round 1. Andy Moran’s side have been impressive throughout the championship and will welcome the opportunity to face one of the competition’s traditional powerhouses.
Here’s everything you need to know about the fixture:.
Five young people have been arrested after “spontaneous disorder” in Derry on Saturday night.
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Police responded to reports of a crowd of youths gathered in the Bishop Street and Nailors Row area of the city after 6:30pm on June 13.
Stones were reported to be thrown and items such as golf clubs were seized. Officers are treating it as a “sectarian motivated” incident.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “At approximately 6.30pm, reports were received that youths, with their hoods up, engaged in a short period of spontaneous disorder involving throwing stones into the area of the Fountain Estate. “Attending officers made five arrests, for offences including riotous behaviour. Items, including a golf club, were also seized from the area. No injuries were reported – and we’re treating this incident as sectarian-motivated. “Enquiries remain ongoing at this time. Anyone who has information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1326 13/06/26. “A report can be made online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org “.
ITV is streaming a crime series that fans of Vera and Death in Paradise will love
A “cosy” crime series ideal for fans of programmes such as Death in Paradise and Vera is available to stream free, and viewers will be hooked.
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Rosemary & Thyme, starring Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris, proved enormously popular with murder mystery enthusiasts when it debuted over 20 years ago, and with episodes now accessible on ITVX, it awaits discovery by new audiences.
The programme centres on two passionate gardeners – former police officer Laura Thyme (Pam) and Rosemary Boxer (Felicity), who holds a doctorate in plant pathology and previously worked as a horticulture lecturer.
Their initial encounter occurs while investigating diseased trees, leading them to unravel something far more sinister. After forming a friendship while solving the case together, the duo subsequently collaborate on numerous mysteries linked to their horticultural work.
The programme launched in 2003, with a second series arriving a year later. A third series of the crime drama commenced in 2005 but it was subsequently axed, though the remaining episodes were broadcast in 2006 and 2007, reports the Express.
The programme has captivated audiences, with one viewer posting on IMDb.com that it was “the best series ever”. “I wish there were 100 more episodes in the series”, they went on.
Another described it as “just plain fun” while a different viewer said they were “devastated” by its cancellation, pleading: “Please make some more episodes.”
“If you enjoy good murder mysteries with a dash of clever fun, then this is a must for you to check out,” remarked another fan.
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Another impressed viewer commented: “This show is addicting. It’s got everything you could possibly want: good scripts, drama, adventure, comedy, top notch guest stars, eccentric characters, beautiful locations, and great acting.”
“Of course I have grown up on Inspector Morse, Touch of Frost and Midsummer Murders, but Rosemary and Thyme so deserves to be up there with them,” remarked somebody else.
“I was highly entertained by this programme… I thought the fact that they were gardeners was a unique hook that gave them reasonable access to the nooks and crannies of the parks and residences they were investigating, as well as a somewhat plausible excuse for stumbling over so many bodies,” observed another viewer.
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“If you dig deep enough, wide enough and in enough places, you’re bound to come up with something…”
Former Love Island contestants Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury have announced the name of their second child.
Boxer Fury, 27, revealed that their baby son, who was born earlier this month, is called Midas when he entered the ring ahead of his fight with Eddie Hall in Manchester on Saturday night (13 June).
Fury’s shorts had the word “Midas” emblazoned on them, and the former reality star later wore an England shirt with the name and the number two written on the back.
“This was for my new baby son, Midas,” Fury told the crowd after beating Hall in his comeback fight. “Welcome to the world!”
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The couple, who met on Love Island in 2019 and finished in second place, announced the birth of baby number two on 3 June, sharing a black and white photo on Instagram that showed the couple and their first child, three-year-old Bambi, greeting the newborn.
Fury wore a shirt with his son’s name emblazoned on the back (PA)
“… And then there were 4,” the caption read.
The name Midas is a reference to Greek and Roman mythology, in which King Midas wishes that everything he touches might turn to gold.
When he is given this gift, however, he soon learns that his dreams of unlimited wealth have a major downside, as everything from the food he eats to the people he loves turns into cold metal.
Influencer Hague, 27, previously hinted that their second child’s name was “definitely not as different as Bambi”, although she noted that she had only ever heard of one child with the same name.
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Hague was in attendance as Fury made his fighting comeback (PA)
“ I had this complex about people saying it wrong, and I’ve spelled it out, and then a few of my friends have said it completely wrong,” she explained in a YouTube video.
“It’s definitely not as different as Bambi, I wouldn’t say, but I have only ever heard one other child be called it and it’s not someone in the public eye,” she added. “It’s literally just someone I am connected to through a friend, someone they know, their child is called it.”
“But I just think it sounds so good with the surname Fury that is another reason why I love it so much,” she said.
Hague and Fury got engaged in 2023, but then split up the following year, before confirming that they had reconciled in 2025.
The 14-year-old was left looking deflated after arriving at Brooklyn’s Los Angeles home
The ongoing rift within the Beckham family has intensified this weekend, with representatives for Brooklyn Beckham publicly accusing his family of orchestrating a media stunt involving his 14-year-old sister, Harper.
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The confrontation unfolded shortly after David Beckham was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday. The Mirror reports that following the ceremony, Harper travelled unaccompanied to her eldest brother’s Los Angeles residence in what was initially reported as an “unannounced” attempt at reconciliation.
Still dressed in her formal gown from the event, the teenager was photographed hand-delivering a letter at the gates before leaving after finding no one home.
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However, a spokesperson for Brooklyn quickly dismissed the narrative of a spontaneous peace offering, pointing to the immediate presence of paparazzi at the private property.
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“That photographers were in place as the letter was hand-delivered says it all – this was choreographed for the cameras,” a representative for the 27-year-old said in a statement to Page Six.
Sources close to Brooklyn confirmed he was in New York City at the time of his family’s arrival in LA, subsequently posting evidence of a run on his social media accounts.
The latest clash highlights a severe breakdown in relations between the aspiring chef and his immediate family.
Earlier this year, Brooklyn publicly accused his parents of attempting to “ruin” his marriage to American actress Nicola Peltz. He has since blocked members of his family from contacting him, reportedly mandating that any future communications from his parents go through legal channels.
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While insiders note that Brooklyn has previously attempted to shield his teenage sister from the fallout, the logistics of her living with his estranged parents have severely strained their relationship.
The escalation comes amid a milestone weekend for the family, which Brooklyn entirely skipped. When questioned by reporters ahead of Friday’s Walk of Fame induction, Sir David declined to comment on the widening divide.
“To be honest, I’m sorry to stop you there, but that’s a private matter,” the former footballer told Variety. “That’s the one thing that I don’t want to talk about.”
Representatives for David and Victoria Beckham have been approached for comment.
Parkinson’s UK is organising the walk on Sunday, June 21, at Drumpellier Country Park.
East Kilbride runner Alexandra Wilson will be among hundreds walking for Parkinson’s at Drumpellier Country Park next weekend.
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The charity Parkinson’s UK is organising the walk on Sunday, June 21, to raise funds for better care for people living with the condition.
Alexandra, who works for the NHS, is a regular at Parkrun every Saturday.
It was her passion for running that led to Alexandra’s diagnosis with Parkinson’s in December last year.
“The first sign was a numbness in my foot,” explained Alexandra.
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“I felt it mostly while running. I decided to get checked out when it didn’t get any better.”
It took many months and several tests and consultations before Alexandra got a diagnosis. Initially, doctors suspected she may have experienced a mini-stroke. However, after undergoing a specialist scan, Alexandra was told she had Parkinson’s just weeks before Christmas.
She said: “My sister was with me and she gasped. We both thought that Parkinson’s was something that only affected older people.”
Alexandra started taking Parkinson’s medication and within weeks she was back running again.
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She added: “I might not have found out about my Parkinson’s if it wasn’t for my running. I could have ended up being diagnosed much later.
“I do have a small tremor on my right hand side, ever so slightly now and again, but the medication helps. I have no other symptoms though and can do my day quite normally.
“I’ve found and really want to make people aware that even though Parkinson’s is a chronic condition, what some might call a life sentence, you can still live your life. You can still keep going.”
That positive outlook has led Alexandra to Walk for Parkinson’s at Drumpellier Country Park.
The event will bring hundreds of people together on Sunday, June 21, to raise money to support specialist workers, like Parkinson’s nurses. But it’s also a chance for people living with the condition to get together and raise awareness.
Alexandra added: “I’m going along with some friends from Parkrun along with my nephew and sister, who’s going to be helping out at Walk for Parkinson’s.
“I’m eager to have a focus. Parkinson’s is not curable, but it is manageable. I’m determined to keep working and to carry on running. I think it’s important to show people that it’s possible to keep living your life.”
Julie Ionta, community fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK in Scotland, said: “Parkinson’s is different for everyone and, in order to live well with the condition, people need specialist care.
“We’re delighted that Alexandra, along with her family and friends, will be walking with us and helping out.
“We want to be there for every Parkinson’s journey and we can go a long way by helping to provide the expert support that’s urgently needed. Taking part in one of our walks is a fantastic way to raise funds to support that effort.
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“We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Drumpellier Country Park on Sunday, June 21.”
Walk for Parkinson’s is the national community fundraising series of the charity Parkinson’s UK. Funds raised will support the charity’s Nurse Appeal, which aims to raise £9 million in three years to increase the Parkinson’s specialist workforce.
Parkinson’s is a complex brain condition which affects around 14,000 people in Scotland. There are more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety, and there is currently no cure.
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