Jerry Farr Travel Fellowship

"The goal you set must be challenging. At the same time, it should be realistic and attainable, not impossible to reach. It should be challenging enough to make you stretch, but not so far that you break."
- Rick Hansen, paralympic athlete

Ataxia UK is looking for people with ataxia and a sense of adventure who are interested in following Jerry’s example by broadening their horizons through travel. Travelling to a different country is, for many people, a dream come true. We would like to offer this exciting opportunity to a person with ataxia.

The winner will receive a maximum of £4000 to cover all the pre-agreed costs of a trip on which the traveller can be accompanied by a carer if required. The destination and purpose of the trip is up to you! The only requirement is that it provides a personal challenge for you.

The travel fellowship has been made possible by the generosity of friends and family of Jerry Farr who passed away in August 2007. Jerry was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia at the age of nine.
According to his brother, “Jerry remained determined, positive, focused, energetic, loving and fun” throughout his life. This memorial fund is a way for Jerry’s spirit of adventure and love of travel to live on through the experiences of others. The following describes some of Jerry’s travel experiences:

“He might not have been able to walk. But in the last ten years he globe-trotted on holidays to numerous countries: Brazil, China, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa amongst others. And as he travelled he made more great friends. It seemed to us that he lived for those holidays and the thought of more of them was probably what kept him going. Jerry went white-water rafting and paragliding. He drank a lot of beer. He did a bungee jump in New Zealand which gave him such a massive thrill… all of these images we treasure. Images of an incredible man rising above the perceived constraints of his disability”.

Jeremy Farr Fellowship 2008

In April 2008 a panel of judges sat down to decide who would be the lucky recipient of this year's fellowship. The applications were all very strong and the judges found it very difficult to choose a winner.
However, it was decided to give the fellowship to Caroline Jones, who will be flying to Florida to swim with dolphins in early 2009.
Thank you to all our applicants and we look forward to hearing from you next year.

Helpline: 0845 644 0606

Jerry Farr Travel Fellowship

Jeremy Farr Fellowship 2008