A HELENSBURGH teen is spending over two months in a tent to raise awareness - and cash - to support people with Parkinson’s.

Robbie Callaghan is attempting to raise £2,000 for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust, a charity looking to cure Parkinson’s, a brain disorder that seriously affects sufferers’ quality of life.

According to latest figures, around 12,400 people in Scotland have the disease.

Robbie came up with the idea after Parkinson’s affected his family.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Robbie, 17, plans to stay in a tent in his family’s Helensburgh back garden for 10 weeks in a bid to raise £2,000 for the Parkinson’s Trust - though visits from the family dog Miya are a regular treat to keep the camper happy Robbie, 17, plans to stay in a tent in his family’s Helensburgh back garden for 10 weeks in a bid to raise £2,000 for the Parkinson’s Trust - though visits from the family dog Miya are a regular treat to keep the camper happy

He described how his grandfather became immobile due to the illness, and had to move into a lodge in Robbie’s family back garden so that he could be looked after – a lodge that Robbie built himself.

And the 17-year-old has now set out on a mission to spend 10 weeks living in a tent, in that same back garden, in support of the trust’s work.

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He told the Advertiser: “It’s been a week so far; it’s been cold, and it’s not the nicest thing, but it’s for the best interests.

“My grandpa has been suffering for 11 years.

“He’s in a wheelchair, and it’s been a horrendous 11 years. It took three months to build him a lodge out the back.

“The whole idea of the tent came about after seeing Captain Tom Moore raise £30 million for the NHS.

“Parkinson’s isn’t something that’s spoken about as much as cancer – cancer is a high priority thing and I feel like Parkinson’s doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

“It can do a lot of damage to families.”

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Robbie has another nine weeks to go inside his tent - which may have been described as suitable for two, but which, according to Robbie, is a fair bit cosier than the catalogue made it sound.

“The tent isn’t that big,” he admitted.

“It says it’s a two man but it’s probably more like a one man.

“My mum brings in food in the mornings and makes me something at night and I have a camp stove, but that’s not working at the moment.

“I watch YouTube on my phone to keep entertained, and I’m dyslexic, so won’t be reading any books!

“It’s definitely challenging. I would like people to know that it’s very severe and take the time to learn more about it.”

To support Robbie and his cause, visit uk.gofundme.com/f/sleeping-in-a-tent-for-10-weeks.