Parkinson’s disease is a cruel progressive neurological condition affecting movements, such as walking, talking and writing. There are 120,000 people with Parkinson’s in the UK alone and around 10,000 are diagnosed with the condition each year. Of those, one in 20 people is under the age of 40. There is currently no cure.
The PDS supports sufferers and their families in every conceivable way and funds research and educational initiatives. It does incredible work but is completely dependent on voluntary donations. Dan's father Martin Coppel died of Parkinson's disease in 2005 so we are running and raising money in his memory. We've targeted £15,000 - whatever you can give would be sincerely appreciated.
Many, many thanks for your support!
Raj and Dan
TRAINING UPDATE:
March 1: saw both of us visiting physiotherapists, ruefully reflecting that we might have peaked too soon. For Dan in last week's Brighton half marathon http://www.sportsystems.co.uk/ss/resultsEvent.htm?eventId=282, for Raj as captain of cross-country aged 13. With a bit of luck and some bandages and tape, we'll make it to the start line on April 25 and from there, we'll hop, skip and hobble until we've done the 26 miles, leaving enough juice in the tank to make it to the pub for painkillers.
April 4: Training has long since ground to a halt replaced instead with daily consultations with doctors, physios and health insurance tele-call centres.
Medically speaking we're both charity cases. Since January, Raj has had severe iliotibial band syndrome, also known as knee-knack. His physio bills alone rival the sponsorship we've collected. 2 weeks ago he had a cortisone shot without telling his wife. His knee is no better and now he has head injuries. Meanwhile, Dan suffered a stress fracture to his foot after running the Brighton half marathon and is currently hopscotching along in the same protective boot as Wayne Rooney. He hasn't trained for more than a month and isn't allowed to until a few days before the marathon. Stuart Lander will remain the fastest Jew in North West London for the time being.
In my case, I had to pull out last week when it became clear that my broken foot wouldn't heal in time to allow me to even walk around the course. After so much training this was disappointing but I've just signed up for the prestigious Fleetwood - Blackpool Marathon in the Summer. As challenges go, few people can say they've attempted this. I've also got a place for next year in London. This will keep my end of the bargain - and in fact you get two for the price of one.
At the time of writing we've raised over £15,000. Together with the PDS, we're extremely grateful for your support.
March 28 2011: Whitesnake sang "Here I go again on my own" and just like the shaggy haired 80s rockers I'm not giving up, despite all advice to the contrary.
If 2010 was a medical write off 2011 has started in similar fashion. I've managed about 6 weeks solid training but a hamstring strain and recurring tenderness around the metatarsals that I broke last year has changed my outlook. Any hopes of training for a time are long gone and the plan now, with less than three weeks to go, is simply to make it round without troubling St John.
