Hi Everyone!
Thank you for visiting our fundraising page again. 2011 is going to be our 11th Great North Run and this time it’s for Parkinsons UK, following Louise’s dad being diagnosed with the disease last December.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition. It affects 1 in 500 (that's about 120,000 people in the UK) and while most people diagnosed are aged 50+, younger people can get it too. One in 20 is under the age of 40. Someone Louise used to work with was diagnosed when he was only 8 years old!
Symptoms vary greatly from person to person, so it might not be a slight tremor, short shuffling steps, painful rigidity or a lack of movement you notice first. It affects the facial muscles so it could be a loss of facial expressions, language, difficulty when swallowing food, sleeping problems, nightmares, anxiety or depression. What we need are new and better treatments for all these symptoms and, ultimately, a cure.
The GNR is the world's largest 13.1 mile (21km) half marathon with around 50,000 entrants. It’s way up in Newcastle upon Tyne, it’s quite hilly in places, and Newcastle to South Shields is still a pretty long way to run for a couple of ‘old timers’ like ourselves. Please take a look at the course or the time-lapsed video and see what lies ahead of us!
We know we say this every year but please help us make this challenge as worthwhile as possible by sponsoring us. We have sponsorship forms or sponsor us online. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. All donations are sent electronically to Parkinson’s UK and if you’re a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax can be reclaimed and added to your gift at no cost to you. So please tick the ‘Gift Aid’ box and save another 28p per £1 from the tax man!
Please help us make a difference to others. Any amount, large or small will be gratefully received. Every penny helps!
Thank you for your support.
Sean and Louise x
