Donna Westwater

Why I am fundraising for Parkinson's UK

This year, as I turn 40, I decided to take on the Great North Run — and I feel incredibly lucky to have secured a ballot place. Alongside the challenge of running 13.1 miles, it felt really important to me to use this opportunity to raise money for a cause that has been close to my heart for as long as I can remember.

I chose to support Parkinson’s UK because Parkinson’s has been part of my life since childhood. I grew up living with and helping care for my grandma, who lived with Parkinson’s for nearly 36 years. During that time, I witnessed the highs and the lows, and the many debilitating symptoms that came with the disease. No two days were ever the same. I saw how it slowly took away her independence, turning simple daily tasks into huge challenges — and the emotional weight that placed on our whole family.

My mam, especially, devoted her life to caring for my grandma — being her voice, her constant support, and her strength right until the end. Sadly, this year our family received another devastating blow when my mam was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Having already lived through the reality of this disease, these past few months have been incredibly difficult as we come to terms with what the future may hold.

That’s why I’m so proud to be running this year — to raise as much money as I can to support those living with Parkinson’s, and to help fund further research, trials, and treatments that can improve quality of life and, hopefully one day, change outcomes.

Any donation, no matter how small, would mean so much — thank you for supporting me every step of the way 🏃‍♀️💙