Reach your creative Peake

I am very excited to hear that the artist Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast series is to continue, after the discovery of a new novel in an attic. Titus Awakes was written by Maeve Gilmore, the late wife of Mervyn Peake, shortly after her husband's death in 1968.

Sebastian Peake – son of Maeve and Mervyn and judge of our annual Mervyn Peake Awards - told The Guardian that reading the book for the first time gave him "a real kick in the solar plexus" and described it as "highly poignant."

I’ve always been fascinated by Peake’s work, from his exquisitely detailed Alice in Wonderland illustrations to his gothic feast of Gormenghast creations. Today his work is as illuminating as ever and his creative determination after developing Parkinson’s should be an inspiration to everyone.

The Mervyn Peake Awards celebrates the creativity of people with Parkinson’s through poetry, art or photography. Whether you are an experienced artist or you simply want to try something new, the Mervyn Peake Awards are the perfect opportunity to pick up your paintbrush, pen or camera and start creating.

You have until 31 March 2010 to complete an entry form and send in your artwork. I would thoroughly recommend that anyone with Parkinson's join this celebration.

Paul Jackson-Clark is the Director of Fundraising at the Parkinson's Disease Society