'I feel like I haven't got Parkinson's when I play'

Caroline Pike said she "forgets" she has Parkinson's when she plays football

Some people with Parkinson's said they would "forget" they had the condition when they were playing walking football.

A walking football festival took place in Bridgwater on Sunday, to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK and Young Somerset, which supports thousands of children annually. 

The tournament brought together three Parkinson’s UK teams and three Young Somerset teams, all playing for a trophy.

Walking football is played at a slow pace, with players not allowed to run.

Caroline Pike, 60, who lives with Parkinson’s said: "The brain is so enthusiastic about doing everything you want to do when you're on the pitch, like pass the ball, look up towards your colleagues, you actually feel like you haven't got Parkinson's at all."

"And then I go longer without having any symptoms," she added.

Annie Booth said walking football has changed her "sporting life"

Annie Booth also lives with Parkinson's.

She told BBC West: "I was 47 years old when I was diagnosed with Parkinson's and it was quite a shock to me.

"There are some days when I can't move very well. It feels like your body is encased in concrete because it's so stiff.

"There are a lot of physical symptoms, but for me the biggest challenge is that apathy.

"When you've got a loss of dopamine in your body, it's like someone's taken the sunshine out of your brain."

Ms Booth started playing walking football in 2022 and said it changed her "sporting life".

"I went from someone who never kicked a ball to someone has become obsessed with walking football."

Walking football manager Mr Langworthy said players "come alive" when playing

The England over 60s walking football manager, Stuart Langworthy, said: "It's like magic.

"You have people who struggle to walk, they are either in wheelchairs or with sticks and if you put a ball in front of them, it's almost like the brain forgets they've got Parkinson's.

"They come alive and they can move better, they can move quicker and they're happier.

"Suddenly, they're part of a team again."