The Asian Achievers Awards has selected Parkinson’s UK as its charity partner this year, with a focus on raising awareness and fostering discussions about Parkinson’s disease within the South Asian community.
Parkinson’s is the world’s fastest-growing neurological condition, affecting around 153,000 people in the UK. However, according to Parkinson’s UK, the condition is often misunderstood and carries a stigma within the South Asian community.
Picture credit: Parkinson’s UK
“This partnership is vital for supporting the South Asian community and raising awareness of their experiences with Parkinson’s,” said Ghalib Ullah, Head of Commerical Partnerships at Parkinson’s UK. “It’s essential to ensure their voices are heard in healthcare, and to encourage openness about the condition.
“Stigma, especially within the South Asian community, remains a major challenge. There is often a tendency to handle conditions privately, with the belief that showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness. This reflects both fear of judgment and a lack of understanding of Parkinson’s, which has many invisible symptoms,” he went on to explain.
“At Parkinson’s UK, our goal is to reach everyone affected by Parkinson’s, and the South Asian Achievers platform is an exciting opportunity to help us engage this community. It fosters conversations, breaks down myths, and combats stigma.”
Partnering with the prestigious Asian Achievers Awards offers a valuable opportunity for the charity to engage with new audiences and ignite crucial conversations within the community.
David Newbold, Director of Community at Parkinson’s UK, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to be the charity partner for this year’s Asian Achievers Awards. This partnership provides an important opportunity to raise both funds and awareness for Parkinson’s, while also connecting with the South Asian community,” he said.
“Parkinson’s can be a deeply isolating condition, and our goal is to create a space where people can speak openly, share their experiences, and find support. Our mission is to eliminate barriers to accessing information and be there for those who need us most.”
Founded in 2000 and held annually in London, the Awards are organised by advisory firm EPG and have earned widespread recognition as the most prestigious and respected awards within the South Asian community. Since their inception, the Awards have raised over £5 million for charitable causes. Last year, the combined net worth of the guests attending the ceremony surpassed £30 billion.
Pratik Dattani, Managing Director of EPG, shared, “Each year, we strive to identify, recognise, and showcase the most inspirational South Asians in the country. But it’s equally important to use this platform to raise awareness about important causes. Parkinson’s is a condition that is often misunderstood, and there’s a significant stigma surrounding it in the South Asian community. I am truly excited to be collaborating with Parkinson’s UK to help raise awareness and support this important cause.”
Picture: Pratik Dattani
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised the Awards last year, saying, “British Asians are a driving force behind much of the social, cultural, and economic progress in the UK. That’s why it’s so heartening to see so many British Asian change-makers being recognised tonight by the team at EPG.”
Last year’s winners included Leicester City footballer Hamza Choudhury and Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia, founder of Europe’s largest car parts distributor. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to former MP Virendra Sharma for his 50+ years of public service.
The partnership with Parkinson’s UK builds on the charity’s ongoing efforts to engage with the South Asian community, which includes local events, support services, and the Race Equality in Research programme aimed at improving Parkinson’s treatments. As the charity partner for the Asian Achievers Awards, Parkinson’s UK will have a unique opportunity to expand its reach, enhance understanding, and provide crucial support to the South Asian community throughout their Parkinson’s journey.
To learn more about the Asian Achievers Awards, visit: Asian Achievers Awards
