Grace Charlton

Great North Run 2024

I will be running the Great North Run in support of ParkinsonsUK and in memory of my Granny, Angela Kelly who died from Parkinsons in 2021. 

Granny suffered from this for many years, however the final 6 to 9 months were particularly traumatic for her and opened our, and my family’s eyes, to the true, cruel nature of this disease. It made me determined to do something about it both from an awareness and fund-raising perspective. 

The most harrowing aspect of this, above and beyond the physical suffering, was the mental dementia and psychosis granny suffered from.  The details of this are private, but I can assure you that it caused a great deal of emotional pain and had a dramatic and haunting affect on all the family.  Watching someone you love slowly disappear was heart breaking.  None of us has had realised this element of the disease, although when we researched it, we realised it was very common.  It also made us aware of the need for skilled, specialist support and ultimately a cure.

I strongly believe in the mission of Parkinson's UK to find a cure and improve life for the Parkinson's community.

Thankyou so much for any donations it means so much. Love Grace xxx