GUY DEACON CBE
Adventurer and Parkinson’s campaigner on a mission to raise awareness of Parkinson's disease worldwide
Guy is a retired British Army Officer who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010. Despite his illness, in 2019 he embarked on a solo overland journey from his home in Dorset in England to Cape Town in South Africa, plotting out a route that took him the length of Africa via the beautiful but at times extremely challenging west coast. This was a route that Guy had wanted to do since his university days. But, forty years on, and now with advanced Parkinson’s, it was a journey of personal challenge and self-discovery. Importantly, he wanted to use the journey as a platform to raise awareness and understanding of Parkinson’s disease in the UK, throughout Africa, and beyond.
Throughout his African journey, he connected with many local Parkinson’s sufferers, exposing the very real prejudice and stigma associated with this illness in Africa. This extraordinary African odyssey and Guy’s relentless efforts to raise awareness of Parkinson’s in Africa have attracted considerable media attention and are the subject of a forthcoming documentary. A book is also in production.
THE JOURNEY
18,000 miles, 25 countries, 19 breakdowns and 3650 prescription pills
Guy’s African odyssey, driving solo from Dorset to South Africa with stage 3 Parkinson’s.
“This perilous journey would be a huge undertaking for anyone, but for someone living with Parkinson’s it is a remarkable challenge.”
PARKINSON’S
The fastest growing neurological disease in the world, with no known cure
During his journey, Guy connected with many local Parkinson’s sufferers and conducted multiple TV and radio interviews, constantly seeking to dispel the very real prejudice and stigma associated with this illness in Africa.
THE FILM
A 60 minute feature length documentary
An illuminating spotlight on Guy's African Odyssey, this film follows Guy on his extraordinary solo journey from Freetown to Cape Town. A truly inspiring story that needs to be told. This one-hour documentary will be shown by Channel 4 late 2024.
THE BOOK
A first person account of the adventure
Running on Empty was published in April 2024. It is available to buy here:
GALLERY
THE PLAYLIST FROM THE JOURNEY
CONTACT
GENERAL ENQUIRIES
Please complete the attached form.
FILM ENQUIRIES
Rob Hayward
rob@newfruit.co.uk
07851 225543
PUBLICITY, BOOK & SPEAKER ENQUIRIES
Tory Lyne-Pirkis
tory.lyne.pirkis@gmail.com
07765503053