Why we are running for Parkinson's UK and The Melissa Bell Foundation
Some challenges don't end when the race does. They stay with you. And sometimes, they bring new people with them.
In 2026, Alexandra Burke, David Burke, Darren Randolph, Gregory Pantlin, and Jodi Barthel are taking on the London Marathon together. For some of us, it's a return. For Greg, it's his first. And for all of us, it's in support of two causes that matter deeply to us: Parkinson's UK and The Melissa Bell Foundation, run in honour of Alexandra and David’s Mum, Melissa Bell.
Parkinson's is a cause that has touched our wider family and people close to us. It's something we've experienced through loved ones and close family friends, including those who have lost a parent to the condition. That personal connection is what brings Parkinson's UK to the forefront for us this year.
Around 166,000 people live with Parkinson's in the UK, and the condition is on the rise. In the UK today, someone is diagnosed every 20 minutes. By 2050, the number of people living with Parkinson's worldwide is expected to double to 25 million. Scary stats, but it’s through donations that we might be able to change this outlook in the years ahead with your help.
Parkinson's UK supports people living with Parkinson's and the families who stand beside them.
Their work in research, care, and advocacy makes a real difference, and we're proud to be raising funds to support it.
Alongside this, we continue to run for the Melissa Bell Foundation and the legacy Alexandra and David’s mum left behind.
Her passion, generosity, and belief in young people continue to guide everything we do.
Through The Melissa Bell Foundation, her spirit lives on by helping young people pursue their dreams through a summer scholarship at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, a cause she cared deeply about.
The heart of this run is familiar, but the purpose has grown.
Training isn't always pretty. There are long runs, early mornings, and days when the legs feel heavy, and motivation is hard to find. But we keep showing up. For family. For memory. And for people who need support now and in the future.
And we can't do it alone.
If you'd like to help, here are a few simple ways:
● Donate: Every contribution supports Parkinson's UK and The Melissa Bell Foundation.
● Share: Passing this on helps spread awareness.
● Learn more: Visit Parkinson's UK and The Melissa Bell Foundation to understand the impact of their work.
● Cheer us on: Your encouragement carries us through the hardest miles.
We’ll be sharing the journey again. The training, the honest moments, and race day itself. If you follow along, you're part of this with us.
Same heart.
A growing team.
Still running for Mum
Thank you to my sponsors
£212
Alex Gerbi
£21.84
Ayeesha
You got this! ❤️
£265
Yasseen Gailani
£106
Robert Hickmott
Go Greg go.
£100
James Mcsweeney
Good luck!
£106
Ted Greeno
£265
Kate Johnson
Good luck GP, Darren and Alex. Smash it!
£50
Manthi Wickramasooriya
£21.84
Jennie Helps
Be looking out for you on the day! Go Alex and Darren- Love Lou and Jen xx
£50
Amanda Barthel
Proud of you, Jodi & David 💜
£200
Martin & Xenia Pantlin
Wishing you and the team the best of luck!! Very proud, Gregory! Love, Mum & Dad xx
£50
Maria, Ivan & Angelo
Best of luck Greg & have fun! Incredibly proud of you x Love the Rosario's xxx
£50
Alexandra Barron
Good luck Greg! We are very proud of you ❤️ Love from the Barron family xxxx
£100
Daniel Winterfeldt
Go Alexandra!!! 🔥💃🏽🙏🏼🤍✨👏🏼
£10
Shell & Caitlin Johnson
Good luck Guys. As always you will smash this! Love Shell & Caits 🥰
£5
Michelle Johnson
Good luck all from Shell & All
£32.23
Alex Lytton
£265
Jonathan Oblak
Good luck!
£21.84
Dita
Let's go team!!! Hope to see you all there🎉💜
£53.32
Laura Atkins
Go Greg and team! Incredible dedication, both for the run and the charity, best of luck!
£36.43
James J
Good Luck Gregsy!
£42.31
Chris S
Good luck all, Go well!
£53.32
Andrew Antoni
Good luck all - go on Greg, bring back the glory days!
£100
William Charles
£32.23
Emma P
Well done guys! & good luck! Xx
£50
Benjamin Evans
Best of luck Greg - I'm sure you'll ace it!
£350
Michael Carlinsky
£53.32
Sam Mitchell
£50
Megan H
Go Greg!
£150
Marina
Go Greg!
£30
Clare Davies Page
What a family !!! ♥️ Absolutely incredible
£103.60
Simon H
Very best of luck, Greg and team!
£24.94
Natalie Pryce
Wishing you all the very best of luck running for a truly worthwhile and important cause. I’m sure you’ll reach your target and beyond! X
£106
Steve Hutson
So Proud of you stars and my Mum will be proud of you cheering you from the clouds with a glass of wine and two ice cubes Thank you
£11.33
Louis Hopkins-powell
Thank you for raising awareness and doing something wonderful for these incredible causes, so much respect and admiration for you and David, keep smashing it.
£21.84
Kayleigh Stephenson
Go ooooon both of you ! Absolutely amazing work! It’s take so much strength to do what your both doing! So you should be very proud! Lots of love kayleigh :) xx
£50
Chris Knight
Great cause. Good luck to you both
£20
Benjamin Wootliff
Good luck!
£32.23
Proud Of You!
Letssss goooo!
£100
Maria Campbell
Good luck Greg and team!
£520
Ian Rosenblatt
£53.32
Ben Edwards
Good luck Greg! See you at the finish line!
£150
Sam Janner-rabinowitz
Try and keep up Greg
£53.32
Chris Mcgowan
Good luck Greg & the gang
£50
Neil Dowers
Good luck!
£100
Julianne Hughes Jennett
£106
James
Best of luck Greg and team!
£21.84
Phil Mance
Good luck to you all, great causes 👏
£21.84
Victor Njoroge
£250
Gregory Pantlin
Let’s go Team!
£149
Jodi Barthel
Let’s go team!
£21.84
Jackie Torres
Have the best time!! Happy to support
£200
David Burke
Let’s go team!!!
£79.50
Francis Fernandez
Awesome cause, let’s get it ya’ll!
£149
Jodi Barthel
Let’s go team!
