Chef unicycling the world for Parkinson's research

Luke Evison will set off on his global unicycle challenge from Bristol on Sunday

A chef whose brother was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD) aged 45 is preparing to unicycle around the world to raise funds for research.

Luke Evison, 42, from Bristol, plans to travel through more than 40 countries, covering more than 25,000 miles (40,000 km), while unicycling solo during the three-and-a -half year trip.

Mr Evison said he is raising money for Parkinsons UK to help fund research in the hope it gets us "closer to a cure".

He will set off from Bristol to begin his World on One Wheel challenge on Sunday.

Mr Evison's older brother Neil (left) was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, aged 45

Mr Evison is travelling solo and unsupported, so will be carrying his tent and supplies with him.

His route takes him through Europe, Japan, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and southern Europe, before returning to the UK.

He is only the second person to travel the world by unicycle after Ed Pratt, from Somerset, completed the challenge in 2018.

Mr Evison previously completed Wales on One Wheel, Scotland on One Wheel, and 40 on One Wheel for charity

Following the death of Mr Evison's father from pancreatic cancer last year, he will be splitting proceeds from his challenge between Parkinsons UK and Cancer Research UK.

"Turning 40 made me stop and think about what I really wanted," he said.

"The answer was to see the world and what better way to do that than to combine it with a challenge that raises money for two causes that mean the world to me."

He said his brother Neil, who moved to Australia, has undergone deep brain stimulation surgery to manage the condition, but still faces daily struggles with reduced mobility and energy.

There have been some positive steps with Parkinson's research lately, but "more still needs to be done", Mr Evison added.

Karen Safe, community fundraiser at Parkinson's UK, said the charity was "grateful to Luke" for supporting his brother with the challenge.

"Parkinson's is a complex brain condition that gets worse over time. Affecting 166,000 people in the UK, it has more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety, and there is currently no cure," she said.

Mr Evison will be documenting his journey online under the name Trip The Balance.