Running on Empty by Guy Deacon

Running on Empty by Guy Deacon

At the age of sixty, and having lived with Parkinson's disease for over ten years, Guy Deacon CBE set out on one last adventure: to drive solo from his home in the UK 18,000 miles and through twenty-five countries to Cape Town on the southern tip of Africa. This incredible journey, across Europe and down the full length of Africa, took the former British Army officer over twelve months. Along the way, he broke down five times, underwent one emergency evacuation, and took 3,650 prescription pills. There are only a handful of vehicles each year which attempt this difficult journey; many never complete it. Ongoing conflicts in Libya, South Sudan, Mozambique and many other countries make any journey exceptionally dangerous. In central Africa, road conditions, particularly in the rainy season, often make the going treacherous. Further hazards include illegal checkpoints, extortion, contaminated fuel and a lack of services. Guy drove, lived and slept in his VW Transporter, often in remote spots, hundreds of miles from the nearest village or town. Reliant on patchy GPS, he often got lost. His journey was, quite simply, an incredible feat by a man travelling alone with Stage 3 Parkinson's disease, when simply putting on a pair of shoes can take half an hour. But not only did Guy's journey fulfil a childhood dream to drive the length of Africa, his mission was also to raise global awareness of Parkinson's disease, for which there is currently still no cure.

'An immense feat of endurance, a remarkable achievement, and a truly inspirational adventure filled with courage and hope' 

-- Sir Ranulph Fiennes

'An incredible journey. Guy Deacon is a true hero.'

-- Jilly Cooper, author

'Guy Deacon’s inspirational journey through Africa is enthralling. With an indomitable spirit, Guy battles terrible roads, hostile border officials, mechanical breakdowns, but, most of all Parkinson’s disease – as he travels 18,000 miles raising awareness and dispelling myths about a condition which is often stigmatised.’ 

-- Rory Cellan-Jones, author of Ruskin Park

‘To drive 18,000 miles through Africa is a challenge in itself, but for one suffering from an incurable disease and faced with endless trials and tribulations, insane bureaucracy  and a global pandemic, it is a miracle if you succeed. However, this is what Guy Deacon did, whilst striving to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease in Africa. Faced with the inexorable march of his own condition, he showed incredible determination, courage and initiative to achieve his aim. This book records how he displayed great skill at cultivating friendships and demonstrating care for fellow sufferers. A most readable account of achievement in the face of adversity that will surely encourage others.’

-- John Blashford-Snell, President, the Scientific Exploration Society

Guy Deacon CBE joined the British Army in 1985. He spent 18 months in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the UN disarming and demobilising rebel forces, for which he was awarded an OBE; he was later awarded a CBE for strategic work as Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps. Guy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010, but carried on working until the age of 57; he now has Stage 3 Parkinson’s. As an ambassador for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust and Parkinson’s Africa, Guy has visited twenty-five African countries to spotlight the issues associated with Parkinson’s disease in Africa. Guy lives in Dorset with his wife and their dog.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781802471885
ISBN 10	180247188X
Title	Running on Empty
Author	Guy Deacon
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Gemini Books Group Ltd
Year published	2024-04-11
Number of pages	256
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable