There’s nothing Dave the Worm loves more than a lab full of scientists, busy looking for the breakthrough that will transform thousands of lives.

Dave’s massively proud of the work Parkinson’s UK do and will tell you they’re Europe’s largest charity funder of research into the condition, with 55 promising projects currently underway. But all this research is totally dependent on donations; it simply wouldn’t happen without people’s generous support. Now, you can help by knitting!

Sirdar has created a pattern so you can knit yourself a worm just like Dave – you can get yours here. Each pattern sold will help fund crucial, life-changing research into Parkinson’s and take us closer to a cure. Dave himself would love to help out, but he’s all fingers and thumbs when it comes to knitting (always dropping stitches!) – so Parkinson’s UK really needs experts like you.

Dave the Worm knitting kits include enough yarn for two Daves, which is great as you can keep one and give another to a friend. As Dave will tell you, there are few things more awesome than getting a blue stripy worm of your very own. They don’t take up much space, are perfectly house-trained, and do a fantastic job raising awareness of Parkinson’s research.

Get your Dave the Worm pattern here.

MORE ABOUT DAVE
Dave is a special kind of worm called C. elegans. These tiny, almost microscopic worms are a big help to Parkinson’s research because they have 8 cells that are the same as those found in the human brain. You can find out more about Dave and his work here.

MORE ABOUT PARKINSON’S UK
Imagine not being able to move, sleep, or smile. Feeling anxious or depressed and struggling to think or remember. Your body not feeling like your own. This is what Parkinson’s can feel like.

Every hour, someone in the UK is told they have Parkinson’s – a brain condition that turns lives upside down, leaving a future full of uncertainty. Parkinson’s UK is here to make sure people have whatever they need to take back control – from information to inspiration.

The team at Parkinson’s UK want everyone to get the best health and social care, so they bring professionals together to drive improvements that enable people to live life to the full. Ultimately, they want to end Parkinson’s. That’s why they inspire and support the international research community to develop life-changing treatments, faster, and they won’t stop until they find a cure. Together we can bring forward the day when no one fears Parkinson’s.

Pencil Parkinson’s Awareness Week into your diaries! It runs from April 18th-24th 2016.