On Sunday 25^th April 2010 I will be running the Virgin London Marathon in aid of the Parkinson’s Disease Society. This is a charity that is very close to me and my family’s hearts and I would be very grateful for any donation you can make to help this worthwhile cause.

As many of you already know, my father suffers from Parkinson’s Disease. He was diagnosed in 2007 after we noticed a tremor in his left hand. Not knowing much about the disease myself I looked it up and discovered that Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological condition – for which there is currently no cure.

Parkinson’s is caused by the loss of cells in the brain that produce dopamine – a chemical that allows people to perform smooth, co-ordinated movements by transmitting messages between nerve cells and muscles. When a high percentage of these dopamine-producing cells are lost, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear.

All donations to the Parkinson's Disease Society are used wisely to support their work. They help them to provide information, care and support for all people affected by Parkinson's and to fund vital research into the cause, prevention, treatment and cure of Parkinson's.

All further information on the Parkinson's Disease Society and their work can be found at http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/

A huge thank you to you all in advance for your support and generosity.

Samantha x