Hello, I’m Helly Lloyd and I am running the London Marathon for UK Men’s Sheds (UKMSA) this year.

Men’s Sheds provide safe and welcoming spaces for men to create, connect and converse. A Men’s Shed can provide a focal point for many and develops self-worth, providing people with a purpose who might have lost theirs. This has certainly been the experience of my Dad who joined his local Men’s Shed in Saltney thanks to my brother after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

My Dad has Parkinson’s and after his diagnosis my brother found out about his local Men’s Shed; Saltney.

Dad says, "meeting new people has stimulated my mental health in a positive way and learning different skills has improved my manual dexterity which has declined overtime due to Parkinson’s. Going from a strong able bodied man to reduced mobility and difficulty with small motor skills Men in Sheds has been a saving grace for me, thank you"

"All the generations of our family have been touched at the love, dedication and thoughtfulness Dad has put into all the pieces he has crafted. He has gifted all his work to the family, he made pieces with specific people in mind so they will have a loving memory whilst cherishing his handiwork"

The Men’s Shed won’t stop Parkinson’s but it has reinvigorated our Dad, my Mum’s husband and he is happy again, with purpose and self-belief as he moves on to his next challenge in the Shed.

Parkinson’s changes a person physically and mentally but my Mum says about Dad, "he can't wait to get there and when he comes back he is full of beans, the old Brian" and that isn’t just Dad it helps, it helps the whole family…. Because Dad is happy and recognises his value.

Since joining the Men’s Shed my Dad’s life has transformed and by running the Marathon I hope to help many more people’s Dads through this excellent charity and the work of Sheds across the UK.

Thank you for your support.