The table tennis group giving hope to players with Parkinson's

For George Chan, everyday life can feel difficult. Since he was diagnosed with the progressive neurological condition Parkinson's, he sometimes struggles to tie his shoelaces and cut up food.

"It's a slightly undignified disease to have," he says.

"You get quite introverted at times and you lose your confidence."

But when he plays table tennis, all that melts away.

Chan has played table tennis since he was 18, but it has become more important to him since his diagnosis.

He coaches a twice-monthly table tennis session in Harrogate that caters specifically for people living with Parkinson's.

And it's been so successful, there is now a partnership between Parkinson's UK and Table Tennis England to help other Bat & Chat groups set up across the country.

"I don't think about the Parkinson's," he says.

"The subconscious kicks in and I just see the ball and I chase it down and I hit it.

"The strokes are still there, albeit a bit slow.

"But if people didn't know I had Parkinson's, they wouldn't think I had it when I'm playing table tennis."

Anna Castiaux, the physical activity programme lead for Parkinson's UK, says: "Exercise is the only thing that's been shown to help manage the symptoms of Parkinson's.

"When you look at the principles of table tennis - balance, moving around the table, side to side - you can see how it links.

"There's a cognitive element too - making decisions and strategising.

"Sometimes with Parkinson's, people can become quite rigid in the torso.

"Table tennis makes people do those big movements, and keep them longer."

That has been the experience of club members in Harrogate.

"Table tennis is a fast-paced game," says Tom Leong.

"It's physically challenging, mentally challenging and socially engaging.

"To me, it's the ideal sport.

"Exercise is a complementary medicine to the main medicine we take.

"It's like putting lubricant in your joints. If I don't play, I stiffen up."

There is a social element to the group too.

Family, friends and carers are welcome to play, chat and drink tea.

For Sarah Jackson, who chairs table tennis at the Harrogate Racquets Club, this was vital when she was looking after her husband. He died with Parkinson's last year.

"It gives the carer an hour when they can do something," she says.

"From personal experience, I know how vital it is to whizz off and get the shop done or something.

"It's very important for the carers to get that break, because it's hard."

While a diagnosis of Parkinson's can be devastating, Chan is determined that his group, and others like it, will send players home with a smile on their faces.

"Just because we have it, doesn't mean it's thank you and good night," he says.

"Make it a challenge, make it positive.

"There's nothing more satisfying than hitting that little sphere back and forth and hearing that sound, and then beating your opposition by sheer cunning or speed or spin.

"It's table tennis first, and Parkinson's second."