Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page.  Here’s a little bit of backstory as to why I’m doing a marathon, when the most I’ve ever run is around 10 miles!

My Dad was diagnosed with Parkinsonism, a type of Parkinson’s disease, around two years ago.  Since then, I've seen what devastating effects it can have on the human body.  Parkinson's is a neurological (or nervous system) disease, where nerve cells are damaged or die.  When this happens, you can have trouble moving, speaking, swallowing or breathing. You can also have problems with your memory, senses, or mood.  It's a degenerative illness. There is no cure.  

To watch someone you love, who used to be so physically strong, develop most of these symptoms, is extremely difficult.  Even moreso for my Dad, who is fully aware of what’s happening to him and for my Mum, who has taken on the role of being his carer.  I have to tell you, their strength astounds me.

It's my hope that by running for Parkinson's UK, I can raise funds to help support their continued research into finding better medicine and eventually, maybe even a cure for this awful disease.  

As I said previously, I've never run this far before, so I have to say, I'm a little nervous!  I'm going to train hard, buy a good pair of running shoes and keep a secret stash of jelly beans with me on the day for short zaps of energy!  I already know, however, that the main thing which will keep me pressing on throughout the 26.2 miles, will be my motivation behind doing it in the first place; for Parkinson's UK; for all the sufferers out there.  For my Dad.