I am fundraising for Bud's run,  a fundraising initiative established in September 2014 in aid of Parkinson's UK (more details below). All money raised will go to Parkinson's UK.

I ran a 75 mile race in Spain in November 2018 (3 marathons in 3 days - (https://votwo.co.uk/collections/trail-marathon-challenges/products/south-spanish-trail-challenge) in preparation for the Namibian desert 250km self supported foot race in April 2019. This involves carrying a pack with all the kit I need for the race (approx 9-10kg) and running 3 marathons, a double marathon, a c.18 mile day and a 10km day.  I will be writing a blog on my facebook page LJHcoaching which will give more details.

I am using these events and some other training events that I will organise between now and April, to raise money for Parkinson's UK via Bud's run.

Why am I fundraising for Bud's run? Bud Baldaro is a former national marathon coach, he is a mentor for England Athletics, regular writer in running press and is Athletics coach to the University of Birmingham squad.

On a personal level, I first met Bud at a track session in Battersea Park in 2005. Bud told me I could run a sub 3 marathon; I didn't realise at the time who he was and I thought the suggestion was crazy, I was a plodder in my mind and had avoided sport throughout school. However from that day until the current, Bud has voluntarily encouraged and supported me in my running, giving me his time, his wisdom, his training ideas and most importantly self belief. The following year I ran a 2hr56 marathon.

I would not have achieved this or my ultra race goals over the years without Bud's belief in me and endless patience in encouraging me.  Despite his diagnosis with Parkinson's, Bud never talks about it, never complains and yet, still is more than generous with his time and advise to me and to many other runners across the country. So this is why I would like to support Bud's run and the amazing amounts of money it raised for Parkinson's UK.

Further information:

 Bud's run was the brain child of the family of GB middle and long distance coach Bud Baldaro, who following his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease wanted to raise both money and awareness.  In 4 years Bud's Run has raised just shy of £80,000 funding research into Parkinson's disease. Bud's Run continues to host an annual 5k fun run in Birmingham and in 2018 organised a Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in partnership with Carnegie Great Outdoors.  One in 350 people will be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the UK.  Bud's Run recognises the importance of ongoing research and is committed to continuing to raise money.

Thank you so much for visiting my page, for taking the time and for helping me raise money for this very worthy cause.