My activity tracking
406
miles
Why I am fundraising for Parkinson's UK
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! I’m taking part in the Great North Run on 7 September 2025 to raise vital funds for Parkinson's UK.
Please help by sponsoring me whatever you can. All the money raised will go to Parkinson’s UK nurses, to provide much-needed advice, support and information for people who are living with the condition.
My updates
The Journey
Thursday 23rd JanParkinsons - My Version
16 years ago a disease that no one in my family knew about, considered or even knew anyone with dumped itself in our lives uninvited (as it does) and has stayed here ever since, as it will!
Its host, my dad. My best friend, the family's Mr Reliable, the odd job man for everyone. At 44 he was suppose to be in the prime of his life and he was. Regularly playing football and putting footballers half his age in their place, not arrogantly but with a poise that gained respect. He carried on as long as he could but at 50 his legs could no longer take the strain. I left home at 18 but I was lucky enough to grace a pitch with him, both as a team mate and as an opponent. Mr calm and collective but also Mr do anything he can to win at any cost.
His career was in full flow helping to maintain the very vehicles that eventually took him to hospital due to collapsing and thought was he had a stroke. At the time I was deployed and wasn't about to help him and the family through that time. In all honesty I don't even remember when I was told but I'm sure he does.
His journey to this point has been far from plain sailing. His acceptance was non existent and to this day I would say he hopes that he will wake and all of this would have been a horrible dream. This has caused him to isolate, to almost give in and be a person who has Parkinson's, not a person living with Parkinson's. This disease has ruined his quality of life, his positive outlook of life and his ability to see the rainbow in the storm.
I knew the dark days would come as they do with every disease however these dark have been dark and to see my hero, my role model and my best friend speak in such a way that he doesn't want to be here anymore, broke my heart.
However the last 6-12 months have been his absolute best. His desire to fight back has been evidential. It shocked me but it was very welcomed. As a family we have always wanted to fight back and keep this disease at bay and it was important my dad led that fight, now he's at the forefront.
ShareThank you to my sponsors
£11.79
Anonymous
£20
Paula & Steve Bishop
Good luck Dean from Paula and Steve
£100
Norma Roberts
Good luck Dean Very proud of you xx
£20
Kieron Kangeroo
Yiiis Deano Dingo!!
£25
Stuart Williamson
Good luck Dean
£30
Carl Pugh
Best of luck Dean! Hope we’re discussing PB’s after this 👊🏼
£10
Chris, Helen, Fin And George
Good luck mate, I’m sure you will smash it!
£100
Maureen Eekhoff
Good luck. 50 quid from and 50 from us
£30
Simon Makin
£50
David Beattie
£20
Shaun Ferguson
Good luck Dean.
£10
Mitchell Savin
£20
John Hiett
£20
Tim Jackson
Good luck mate
£10.01
Rihard
Good luck, all the best in your expedition.
£10
Craig Barff
Best of luck mate 👏
You got this skip