A remarkable tale of resilience and adventure is poised to unfold in Wrexham, as esteemed explorer Guy Deacon CBE arrives to narrate his awe-inspiring odyssey in an event supporting Parkinson’s Disease charity initiatives.
Set against the backdrop of Brynkinalt Hall, near Chirk, ‘Running on Empty’ will feature Guy Deacon sharing his captivating tale next month.
At 60 years old, Guy embarked on a daring quest despite grappling with Parkinson’s disease for over a decade. Determined to embark on one final grand adventure, he undertook a solo drive from his UK residence to South Africa. This monumental journey spanned more than 12 months, covering 18,000 miles, traversing 25 countries, and enduring five breakdowns, an emergency evacuation, and the consumption of 3,650 prescription pills.
Such an undertaking would be remarkable for any individual, but for Guy, who battled Stage 3 Parkinson’s, it represented an unparalleled feat.
Despite facing the challenges of limited hand function, compromised spatial awareness, and the misconceptions associated with his condition, Guy persevered. He navigated the vast expanse of Europe and Africa from the confines of his VW Transporter, often camping alone in remote wilderness, hundreds of miles away from civilisation.
Beyond fulfilling a lifelong ambition of traversing Africa by road, Guy’s expedition aimed to shine a light on Parkinson’s Disease, particularly its misunderstood nature in Africa where it is sometimes erroneously linked to superstitions like witchcraft. Such misconceptions often lead to sufferers being marginalised by their communities.
Guy commenced his journey in November 2019, advancing as far as Sierra Leone by March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halted his progress. Stranded without recourse, he was eventually evacuated by the British Government, leaving behind his faithful van.
The intervening period saw Guy grappling with the inexorable progression of his condition as he awaited the opportunity to resume his odyssey. By March 2022, when he recommenced his journey, the toll on his health was palpable.
The arduous expedition tested Guy’s resolve to its limits, with numerous moments of doubt and exhaustion. As his physical and mental faculties waned, communication became increasingly arduous, exacerbating feelings of isolation. Yet, amidst the adversity, acts of kindness from strangers buoyed his spirits and propelled him onward.
Documenting his voyage through an 18,000-mile expanse, Guy meticulously maintained a video diary and was joined intermittently by a documentary filmmaker. The culmination of this effort is 85 hours of footage and thousands of photographs, soon to be immortalised in a documentary slated for release on Channel 4 this spring.
The ‘Running on Empty’ event is scheduled for Monday, May 13, from 7 pm to 10 pm. Open to all, tickets are priced at £20, with proceeds dedicated to supporting Parkinson’s research and awareness initiatives. Tickets can be purchased online via this link: tinyurl.com/224tdb3u.
Throughout his journey, Guy received unwavering support from The Cure Parkinson’s Trust, a charity committed to finding a cure for Parkinson’s, and Parkinson’s Africa, dedicated to raising awareness and empowering individuals afflicted by Parkinson’s to make informed decisions regarding their health.
As Guy Deacon prepares to share his remarkable odyssey, his story stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and a beacon of hope for those confronting Parkinson’s Disease worldwide.
