On Saturday 5th May 2018 I will be walking 52 kilometres along the coast in the Isle of Wight, covering half the island, to raise much needed funds for Parkinson's UK to research into finding a cure for this debilitating condition.

In September 2016 after returning from a short break with me, my family and her husband in Dublin, where we all ran races of 10K or half a marathon, my friend Mikki was diagnosed with Parkinsons.  This was within a couple of months of losing her father and also being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

For most people, experiencing one of the above would possibly have been enough to push them over the edge.......but not our Mikki!

With her resilience, love of life and the unfailing love and support of her family and friends, Mikki has fully recovered from surgery for her tumour and manages her condition, living life to the full as much as possible with a positive 'can do' attitude.

My immediate family have questioned my decision to take on this Challenge with my many other commitments.... and at my age (whatever that might be!)....pointing out the many hours of training it will take to prepare for this challenge, as it is longer (by 6 miles) than the Marathon I did a couple of years ago. I know they are only concerned for me.

However, this Challenge will be no harder than the challenges sufferers of Parkinsons (and other debilitating conditions) have to face every day of their lives. 

I also know how easily our good health can be taken away from us, often without warning.  

So whilst I have my good health, I want to challenge my mind and body and in the process raise valuable funds for research into a cure in our lifetime, for people like my friend Mikki.

Please donate whatever you can to this excellent cause and your supportive messages will help and motivate me every step of the journey ahead.

Thank you for reading this and I send you all my love and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2018!

Veena xx.

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