Sport Parkinson’s co-founder Charlie Appleyard has been awarded an MBE for services to people with Parkinson’s and fundraising.
Appleyard with Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological condition that mainly affects movement, after being diagnosed with the condition in 2016 at the age of 39.
Despite the daily challenges he faces, Appleyard has championed more opportunities for people living with Parkinson’s to be active, connected and supported through sport and exercise.
He founded Sport Parkinson’s in 2019.
The organisation encourages people who live with the disease to lead an active life, and funds and delivers sports and activity programmes for people with Parkinson’s.
Appleyard is also co-founder of Annapurna Recruitment, which sponsored the front of Morecambe FC shirts during the 2020-21 season, when the Shrimps gained promotion to League One.
At the time, Appleyard was on the board of directors at the club, a role he held for six years, including being at the heart of the fight to save the club from going bust during the turbulent and protracted takeover of Morecambe FC by Panjab Warriors from previous owners Bond Group.
Appleyard said he was “deeply humbled” to receive the honour and shared it with the entire Parkinson’s community, whose determination and inspiration continue to drive his work.
