My Story

I’m absolutely delighted and honoured to be running the London Marathon 2025, fundraising for Parkinson’s UK. It’ll be another great opportunity to tread the streets of London again 27th April 2025.

More exciting too is that is that I’ve got two legends also taking on their own massive challenges and fundraising for Parkinson’s UK. They are my daughter Jess and old training buddy Charlotte.

First up is Charlotte, who is taking on her very first half marathon in the Windsor Half Marathon. Charlotte said:

“I got into running because of Pablo — albeit unwillingly at first. When Covid hit, we couldn’t go to our usual indoor boxing bootcamp. Bored, sad and at a loss without our usual outlet, Pablo said “Come out on a run”, and, despite protesting that I 'wasn’t a runner', I did.

On those runs, we’d mooch along and chat about life; the big stuff and the small. It was therapy more than exercise. Thinking back, I can’t remember when between those runs Pablo told me about his Parkinson’s diagnosis. But I remember being shook. I know there have been challenges along the way. Yet, each time I chat to Pablo; each time he tells me he’s signed up to a race; each time he’s had a bad day and has come out the other side stronger; I feel inspired, in awe, and so proud of my friend. And I am excited to be racing with him in my first (not his — show off) half marathon on Sunday the 29th September at the Windsor Half. Coooooome oooon!”

UPDATE :

Charlotte smashed the Windsor Half.

UPDATE:

Jess smashed Brighton with a incredible new PB

Update: Pablo completed London ✔️

Congratulations!! 
3 down and all done ✔️ 

Jess added:

“I knew very little about Parkinson’s disease until my dad received his diagnosis, it was quite a surreal experience finding out the diagnosis as I’ve always seen my dad as untouchable and to be honest I still do.
I have learnt more about symptoms and have seen first hand how it can affect someone as they are just trying to get on with their day.

Parkinson’s is from an outsider point of view quite debilitating. The difference with my dad is he will always be the hardest worker in the room, he will not give in easily and has taken it upon himself to focus on how he can make himself as healthy and strong as possible whilst navigating Parkinson’s everyday.

I will be running the Brighton marathon 2 weeks before my dad takes on the streets of London again and I am joining him in fundraising for Parkinson’s UK.

The work they do and the information they put out is so helpful for someone like me who doesn’t directly have Parkinson’s but has a close family member who does. Their social media pages give informative slides on what the disease is, what research is being carried out, progression in treatments and symptoms that people can have."

Thank you for reading and we appreciate all donations!