SWINDON nurses were soundly beaten – as a hospital team took on their Parkinson’s-afflicted patients.

By the first whistle – just 15 minutes in – the Great Western Hospital nurses had already conceded five goals to the home side.

The match was the first to be played between Swindon Parkinson’s patients and their nurses and therapists. The Swindon and District branch of charity Parkinson’s UK hope to turn the one-off friendly game into an annual event.

Nurses and patients alike say that weekly football training sessions organised by the charity at Play Football in Kembrey Park have helped slow the spread of the incurable condition in men who thought their playing days were behind them.

Parkinson’s prevents the brain from producing dopamine – a chemical that helps the body regulate its movement. Common symptoms like shaking hands are in part caused by the body’s struggle to produce dopamine.

Playing football not only helps the men stay active, but it also encourages their bodies to produce dopamine, says Rachel Gardner, lead Parkinson’s nurse specialist at GWH.

She said: “A lot of the research recently shows that exercise is as good as medication for Parkinson’s patients.”

The football sessions are brilliant, Rachel added: “It’s getting people out and about. It’s using their memory as well.”

“When they’re out there playing, they haven’t got Parkinson’s,” said Dawn Falkingham, a member of the branch committee. “They’re not thinking about it.”

Another committee member, Ann Freegard, whose husband was refereeing the game, added: “They just love it. A lot of the men get up at eight o’clock and start getting ready for football at midday.”

Dave Logan, chairman of the Swindon branch of the charity, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 15 years ago. He says the football sessions “keep me light on my feet”.

“There was one gentleman who, when he first came, would just stand there. Now, he’s reaching for the ball,” he said.

The Swindon and District Branch of Parkinson’s UK will organise a fundraising beat-the-goalie competition with Swindon Town goal-keeping legend Fraser Digby at Play Football on Saturday, July 21, 10am-2pm.