Annie Booth

Annie is 55 years old. She has been living with Parkinson's Disease for almost ten years old. Her late father also had Parkinson's Disease, and at first Annie felt unable to disclose her condition to her family for fear they would fear the very worst for her own prognosis.

Annie is however, a hugely otherwise positive person who despite her pains and difficulties with Parkinson's, has been so inspirational and supportive to others with the condition.

Two years ago, Annie from Manchester attended a local Parkinson's support group in Liverpool and found herself being offered the chance to play walking football having never played before.

The mother of two grown rugby playing sons, Annie typically gave walking football a go, and 18 months later found herself attending trials to be selected for the newly formed England Parkinson's Walking Football team.

Annie was selected for the first ever 20 person squad, the first and only woman in a squad of men.

The men in the squad - myself included - have played football in some way all our lives, but Annie has absolutely taken to it, and we all think so highly and so admirably of her. And so very equally of her valid and invaluable part in the squad.

Annie has since become inspirational to other women and girls wanting to play football, and has now been asked to help establish a develop an England Parkinson's Walking Football team specifically lor women, as well as being regularly asked to speak to ParkinsonsUK and other groups about her story and the benefits of football, and exercise to both people with and without conditions such as Parkinson's.

Also see @annieconmonkey