ADRENALINE junky William Randall is attempting one last extreme sport before undergoing brain surgery to slow the progression of his Parkinson's disease.
The 57-year-old was diagnosed 13 years ago and now has trouble with even simple tasks, like tying his shoe-laces.
The business director will undergo deep brain stimulation on September 30 to treat the symptoms of the degenerative condition.
It involves surgeons inserting electronic probes into his skull and is described as "like a pacemaker for the brain".
However, as a side-effect the adrenalin junkie will have to give up his love of extreme sports like sky-diving and motor racing because it could damage the equipment in his head.
So today Mr Randall, from Old Main Road, Bulcote, will take on Europe's longest zip wire to raise money to support others in his position.
The father of three, said: "I was diagnosed with Parkinson in 2001.
"They will insert two probes into my brain connected to a battery and hopefully that will help some of my problems.
"There is a danger of having a stroke during the procedure but the benefits out-weigh the risks.
"I take 15 tablets a day and afterwards this could be halved and it could also increase my motor-neurone skills by 50 per cent. I really struggle with my hands and fingers and I have to concentrate hard to tie my laces, but this treatment will help with that."
"I will be awake during the operation because they need me to be conscious so they know the probes are in the right place.
"It could affect my hand movements and speech – there is about 3mm between sounding like Joe Pasquale and Barry White."
"I am worried about it but I am confident that everything will go ok and it will be for the better."
The surgery will take place at the Queen's Medical Centre and could take up to eight hours to complete.
Consultant neurologist Gill Sare said: "It is important to recognise that this treatment helps symptoms and it is not a cure and patients do continue to get worse.
"However, it does help with the symptoms and 80 per cent do get better after the surgery, and 50 per cent see results.
"We implant the electrodes and the wires connected run down to a box in your shoulder. and the electricity turns off some of the switches in the brain that cause the symptoms.
"You can fracture the leads after the surgery, so people can't be knocked about or go sky-diving for instance."
Mr Randall will attempt Europe's longest zip wire at Zip World in Snowdonia – which is 500ft above the ground and travels at speeds of 115 miles per hour.
William's Daughter Charlotte Randall, 23, of Cutlers Court, Radcliffe, said: "We are being very positive and hopefully this will improve his quality of life.
"He has a good sense of humour about the situation.
"I am also going to do the zip line but I am not worried about him I am more concerned about my hair.
"He used to be a bit of an adrenaline junky and this will be his last rush."
