A FORMER Oxford student diagnosed with Parkinson's has developed a new cycling event with the goal of raising money to tackle the disease.

David Brodie, 63, was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2013 and since then has been committed to supporting research into finding a cure.

When he was diagnosed he was told a cure would be found within 15 years , but he said he has since met others battling the disease who say they were told the same well over 15 years ago.

So Mr Brodie has taken it upon himself to help and is staging a fundraising bike ride for the cause on Saturday, September 16.

He said: "When I was diagnosed, I was told that there would be a cure for Parkinson’s within 10 to 15 years, but I have since met many people in the Parkinson’s community who were also told this and, sadly for them, that 15-year mark has come and gone.

"I approached Parkinson’s UK about hosting an event that really demonstrates the importance of research, where people’s money will go and why it is so crucial to people with the condition.

"I am thrilled that the route includes Oxford – where I studied at university and first got into long distance cycling."

The BOXCAM bike ride takes in three cities – Bristol, Oxford and Cambridge – all of which are the UK's most prominent Parkinson's research bases.

The event will be take place over two days and covers 200 miles–- each mile representing a year year that have passed since Parkinson's was first identified by James Parkinson in his 'Essay on the Shaking Palsy' in 1817.

It will be the third long distance challenge Mr Brodie has taken on, following the 2016 RideLondon-Surrey challenge in which he raised £50,000 for Parkinson's research.

Mr Brodie also completed a trip from Land's End to John O’Groats in 2015 as part of his determination to stay well enough to cycle, despite living with Parkinson’s.

He added: "The 200 miles sounds like a long way, but it is a particularly significant distance as it’s been 200 years since Parkinson’s was first discovered.

"While a lot of progress has been made since then there is still no cure and, research-wise, we still have a long way to go.

"I hope people in Oxford will join me in our ride for research."

BOXCAM will start at Blaise Castle in Bristol and hundreds of cyclists are expected to set out on the journey to Oxford, before stopping off overnight and hearing from researchers at Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre about current research.

Riders will then finish at Midsummer Common in Cambridge the next day.

To sign up or for more details see parkinsons.org.uk/boxcam200