Hatfield mum of two launches fundraiser after Parkinson's diagnosis

The event will take place at Tarina Green's workplace, Sainsbury's in London Colney, on Saturday (April 13).

She was diagnosed at the age of 40 and now experiences body movements, particularly on one side of her body, along with vivid nightmares.

Tarina's fundraiser will run from 8am until 3pm and will feature a raffle, lucky dip, cake and plant stalls.

Tarina, Geoff and their two children. (Image: Geoff Green)

Premier League footballer Kai Havertz has even donated a shirt signed by the Arsenal team and a signed football.

The 44-year-old explained to this paper: "I'm keen to do this big fundraiser because Parkinson's UK have been really helpful to me and us as a family.

"It's four years on, from being diagnosed, so I decided to do something about it, and it will be World Parkinson's Day that week (April 11).

A signed shirt has been donated by Arsenal's Kai Havertz. (Image: Geoff Green)

"We want to highlight that it can affect young people as well as old.

"It's going to quite a big event. Sainsbury's London Colney are helping me, they're donating the cakes, donating Tombola prizes.

"Starbucks have donated some stuff."

A JustGiving page set up by Tarina has raised more than £2,000 so far, beating her initial target of £1,500.

Tarina and her daughter in the countryside. (Image: Geoff Green)

Speaking of how the disease affects her, Tarina continued: "I suffered from Dyskinesia, which is the involuntary movement.

"There is slurred speech, stiffness, fatigue, my balance is off. You name it.

"The dreams are really bad, really disturbing, which causes fatigue because it wakes me up throughout the night."

SUGGESTED READING

• Teen starts fundraiser after best friend dies of cancer

• Harpenden couple who lost three-year-old to tumour raise over £20k

Tarina's husband Geoff, who works as a police officer in the Met, added: "Tarina had Parkinson's down as an old man's disease, something I should have got not her.

"But, you can get it at any age, Michael J Fox was 29 when he was diagnosed.

Tarina has worked at Sainsbury's in London Colney for 29 years. (Image: Geoff Green)

"I watched a documentary about Boris Johnson the other week, his mother had it and was diagnosed at 40. It's surprising.

"We're keen for it not to define her. It's not all she is, she's more than that."