For Immediate Release August 3, 2011

Victoria, BC - On August 5, 2011 at 5:00pm, 70-year-old John Crouch will arrive at the junction of the Galloping Goose and Lochside Trail just before the switchback bridge after completing his 2,517 kilometre cycling journey from Whitehorse to Victoria. His ride was dedicated to his 40-year old nephew who has been living with Parkinson's disease for the past 10 years. John raised $9,000 for research and essential support programs provided to the Parkinson's community by Parkinson Society British Columbia.

"The ride was challenging yet extremely gratifying for me. After just over three weeks on the road and 23 days of riding, I am very impressed with how my body held up," said John. "The scenery was incredibly beautiful and varied. I saw 14 bears and a wild mountain sheep!" He added, "the warm welcome and encouragement I received along the way from everyone I met including the Parkinson's Support Groups in Prince George, Squamish and Nanaimo was outstanding. I thought that I would raise some money but not as much as I did - I am overwhelmed."

Parkinson's is the second most common chronic neurological disorder after Alzheimer's. In BC, there are 11,000 individuals living with Parkinson's but this number can be doubled or tripled based on the fact that everyone in the family is affected. Parkinson Society British Columbia receives no government funding and relies entirely on the generosity of individual donors, members, corporations, foundations and the dedicated efforts of volunteers.

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For information:

or John Crouch, 250 592 5107, chickadee@telus.net