Cure Parkinson’s Fundraiser
1768. Meriel Buxton
Meriel Buxton, from Leicestershire, has raised over £350,000 for national charity 'Cure Parkinson’s' through her virtual markets and her unique ‘Cabbages and Kings’ magazine which features writers like Terry Waite and Joanna Trollope.
Meriel was inspired to raise money for research into Parkinson’s after the death of her brother Gavin from the disease in 2012. Since then, she has been dedicated to canvassing support for ‘Cure Parkinson’s’ from across her wider local area, and continued to fundraise during lockdown by creating online events, leading to Meriel being named as the charity’s Fundraiser of the Year in 2020.
In a personal letter to Meriel, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Congratulations on the success of ‘All Yours’ through which you have supported thousands of girls and women with donated period products.
“Alongside your mother, Caroline, you have packed up thousands of boxes of essential items. Moreover, you have given thousands of women dignity and access to healthy, hygienic care items.”
Neil O’Brien OBE, Meriel’s local MP for Harborough, said:
“I’d like to congratulate Meriel on winning the Points of Light award, it’s fantastic to see her hard work and incredible efforts being recognised in this way. Meriel has raised a tremendous sum for Parkinson’s that has made such a difference to their important research work, and I’d like to pay tribute to her and her brilliant contributions.”
Meriel said:
“I am most honoured and thrilled by this and would like to dedicate it to the memory of my husband James Buxton who died two months ago and worked so hard as a volunteer for several different charities including ‘Cure Parkinson’s’.”
Helen Matthews, Deputy CEO of ‘Cure Parkinson’s’, said:
“Many congratulations to Meriel, a truly inspirational recipient of this Points of Light award. Her leadership of the ‘Cure Parkinson’s Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland’ committee has been visionary. She has created novel events from lectures to magazines, auctions to musical soirees, via photographic exhibitions and sponsored rides. Not only has she led the committee over the last eight years to raise £350,000 for research into a cure but also through the numerous events both in person and online she has reached thousands of people and raised awareness and the profile of Parkinson’s across the region.”