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Ben Willett

Individual UK Runs 2026

Help me reach my goal of £1,250

Why I am fundraising for Parkinson's UK

I am running the Surrey Half Marathon on March 22nd 2026 for Parkinson's UK.

As many will know, I lost my father to Parkinson’s. It was a difficult time for all of us but not least for him. He remains an inspiration to me and I will miss him every day for the rest of my days. 

Anyone can get Parkinson’s, young or old. Every hour, two more people are diagnosed.

There are over 40 symptoms. Tremor. Pain. Anxiety. Everyone’s experience is different. It was cruel for my father to endure this, as it is for many others. My uncle also lost his father to Parkinson’s, so it’s very real for us as a family.

And there’s no cure. Yet.

That’s why I’m fundraising for Parkinson’s UK. With your help we can fund better care, drive research breakthroughs and one day find a cure. 

Thank you for your generosity and support.

Please help me
reach my goal

Raised

£1,711 + £379.69 GiftAid

My Goal

£1,250

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My updates

New milestones and better weather!

Thursday 26th Feb
A recent study showed that Parkinsons is on the rise. A difficult thing to read but all the more inspiration for doing this half marathon and raising the much needed funds to keep the research going.

Thanks again to everyone who has donated and been so kind.

I hit a new personal milestone at the weekend getting (just about) to 20km! Anything post 14km is somehow really hard for me, so I have to slog through that last 6-7km on the day and get to the finish. Less than a month to go now!

Training update and where fundraising money goes

Wednesday 21st Jan
Mid-January, terrible weather out there but my training is going well so far. I want to start by saying a huge thank you to the extremely kind people around me who have so generously donated, my dad loved kindness in the world, seeing this kindness would make him smile.

I reached a new milestone on Saturday achieving 11k in one run for the first time! Just need to do that twice now to get to the half marathon distance!

I have also been reflecting on a number of the key impacts of Parkinson's on people and where the fundraising money goes to support new research. One area of focus is gut health. Parkinson's UK is running research on ginger improving gherlin levels (a gut hormone). People with or at high risk of Parkinson's have lower levels of gherlin so the study will hopefully reveal a link and a simple option for people to take more ginger in their diet, improve inflammation, and help them absorb medicines more easily.

A half marathon!

Friday 21st Nov

Many people around me will know I have always liked running. Its something I do to calm my mind as well as being my (only) physical exercise! Despite this I have never run long distance. I personally consider long distance to be anything over 5k having spent my youth sprinting and sprint hurdling! The longest distance I have ever run in one go is 10k, so doing the Surrey Half Marathon for Parkinson's UK is a big step up for me. I am truly thankful for your support.

Thank you to my sponsors

£11.33

Ryan Hill

A very worthy cause. All the best for Sunday.

£21.84

Gregg Purcell

Best of luck Ben - amazing cause.

£10

Daphne Potter

Good luck Ben, lovely thing to do in memory of your dad, lots of love, Nan xxx

£21.84

Gill N Mike

All the very best for the run!!!

£11.33

Muhammad Qureshi

Good luck Ben, great cause!

£50

James Bowry

Great cause mate, and good luck!

£20

Hazel And Brian

Love from Hazel and Brian

£21.84

Peter James Lamper

Good luck on the run, I'm sure it will be a great day and atmosphere.

£10

Anonymous

£21.84

Jack Ingham

Wishing you a good run for a great cause.

£21.84

Saif Al-chalabi

Great cause Ben and I'm sure your dad will be very proud looking down. Hope the training is going well.

£15

Tom Plater

Inspirational stuff Ben. Sounds like your training is on track. The motivation will get the last miles done.

£20

Brook Ince

It’s never easy to lose family. I know in the case of Parkinson’s, the slow-decline can be just as painful as the loss. I’m glad you’re finding an outlet, I’m glad you’re giving back, and I hope my support, as well as the many others who have donated, remind you how many people around you care. All the best my friend.

£42.79

Robert & Yvonne Armitage

£20

Michelle Barrow

Good luck Ben Lots of love Michelle, Martin, Ruby and Rowan xx

£32.23

Steph Lee

Run Ben, run!

£50

Richard Barsby

Hope it goes well buddy, great cause.

£21.84

Rachel Armitage

Best of luck Ben! What a great cause 💪🏃‍♂️

£53.32

Steve Armitage

Proud of you mate! You'll smash it 👊

£21.84

Abigail Holmes

£20

David Murphy

Fuck Parkinsons!

£20

Gianluca

Well done and great cause!

£21.84

Gurmaher Kooner

Good luck

£15

Pete Barnes

Good on you mate, I know you'll smash it😄

£20

Anthony Hatfield

Another spa date to recover mate?! You got this!!

£20

Ellie Navid

Enjoy the kinder weather Ben 🏃‍♂️🌳🌲

£100

Gurjot & Eyan

You're a superstar Ben! Can't wait to see you smash it!

£20

Shumon Khan

Good Luck Ben

£11.33

Chris Emmony

£10

James Plummer

Good luck Ben!

£21.84

Alistair Maxwell

£21.84

Chris Pickard

Good luck Ben!

£53.32

Barry Long

My Dad also had Parkinson's. A cruel way to finish.

£30

Nina

Best of luck- you can do it!

£32.23

Pav Cheema

Smashed it Ben! Will be cheering you on from the sandpit

£40

Si And Nikki

Go Ben!!!

£20

Jean Bowler

Good Luck Ben doing a Grand Job in memory of your Dad .Love Auntie Jean

£27.05

Karen Lamboll

Good luck Ben, Uncle Philip will be very proud of you xx

£20

Jill Terry

Good luck Ben, I m sure you will smash it, just got to get past the mental barrier :)

£21.84

David W

Good luck Ben! Great cause :-)

£10

Anonymous

£10

Elena Maxianova

Good Luck Ben!

£20

Amy Hawkins

Good luck Ben Love Amy ,Sam , Mia and Isla xx

£32.23

Harjeet Cheema

You will smash it Ben! Good Luck with the training!

£31.51

Marie O'donnell

Parkinsons has loomed large in my life with 2 good friends and my father in law all having. A great cause - good luck with it! Marie

£32.23

Sheldon And Pericles

Just remember it's one paw after the other

£106

Inder & Colin

We're both impressed and proud of you.

£60

Amar And Rohan

Good luck Ben, you’re gonna smash it. Enjoy the carb loading!

£21.84

Elaine Phipps

£50

Jane Willett

Dad would be so proud of you and will be running beside you every step of the way. Xx

£106

Jotinder Thind, Satpal Thind

You're doing an amazing thing for a great cause! We are incredibly proud of you.

£50

Gemma May

Dad was proud of all you did but he especially loved kindness - thanks for doing this so others can benefit from the research the money will provide - you’re amazing x

£106

Krishandeep Thind

It's one foot in front of the other. Over and over and over again! So proud of you xxx

£30

Ben Willett