Jen Bond

🌿 HITTING 48 MILES: A WILDLIFE HAVEN & A SPECIAL THANK YOU 🌿

Thursday 14th May Today was a test of "Yorkshire Grit." Despite the exhaustion and the struggle with spinal displacement, I decided to put the treadmill to one side and spend the afternoon being productive in the fresh air. I’ve spent 3 hours planting and creating a brand-new wildlife space in the garden. Today’s Progress: • The Effort: A trip to find plants followed by 3 solid hours of digging, lifting, and planting. Gardening with a displaced spine is no easy feat, but it’s so rewarding - especially for my mental health & wellbeing to which I definitely needed a boost. • The Reality: While my watch had a bit of a technical wobble, I’ve put in the equivalent of over 11,000 steps today. 👟 • The Total: That’s another 5 miles in the bank, bringing me to 48 miles total! 📈 Just 2 miles away from the halfway point! Today’s Dedication: I want to dedicate these miles to all the support workers, carers, and healthcare professionals. To the specialists, nurses, and staff who help those in need and support people living with Parkinson’s—your expertise and compassion are the light in often dark times. Thank you for everything you do. Fundraising Update: We are still sitting at £79 raised! If you can spare a few pounds to help me reach my £100 goal for Parkinson's UK, it would mean the world while I push through these middle miles. Share

🩹 MILESTONE REACHED: 43 MILES & A HEARTFELT DEDICATION 🩹

Wednesday 13th May Today has been a day of tough answers. After seeing a specialist, I’ve been informed that I’m likely dealing with displacement of the spine. It explains the severe pain I’ve been battling, and I’m now waiting for an X-ray to confirm the next steps. The advice is to keep moving through the discomfort, so I gritted my teeth and pushed on. Today’s Progress: • The Effort: A steady 30-minute treadmill session plus plenty of "pottering" to keep the joints mobile. • The Results: I hit a fantastic 7,623 steps today! 👟 • The Tally: That adds another 4 miles to my journey, bringing my grand total to 43 miles! 📈 Today’s Dedication: I want to dedicate today’s miles to all the unpaid carers. To those who support a relative or anyone connected by Parkinson’s, your selflessness and strength often go unnoticed, but you are absolute heroes. You deserve so much more than a mention, and I’m walking these miles with you in mind. Fundraising Update: I am currently at £79 raised—just £21 away from my £100 goal! Crossing 40% of the distance while dealing with spinal issues feels like a massive victory. Thank you to everyone for the donations; they are the reason I keep stepping. Share

🎉 MILESTONE ALERT: £50 CROSSED & £79 RAISED! 🎉

Wednesday 13th May

I am absolutely over the moon! I’ve just received an incredibly generous £30 donation, which has officially pushed me past the £50 mark.

 I am now at £79 out of my £100 goal! 

To everyone who has donated so far—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Knowing that I’m so close to my fundraising target makes every treadmill session and every "pottering" step worth it, even on the days when my back is giving me grief.

The Progress:

• Total Raised: £79! 💰

• Total Miles: 39 miles down! 📈

• Current Status: 39% of the miles and 79% of the fundraising done!

Your support for Parkinson's UK is what keeps me gritting my teeth and moving forward. Let’s see if we can hit that £100 goal before the week is out!

Share

💪 PUSHING THROUGH THE PEAK PAIN 💪

Wednesday 13th May Yesterday was one of the toughest days yet. The back pain was so severe that I couldn't even manage my usual evening update, but I refused to let the day go by without making a dent in my 100-mile goal. The Effort: • The Movement: Between pottering around the house and a determined 33-minute stint on the treadmill, I gritted my teeth through every step. • The Result: I managed to hit 5,487 steps! 👟 Considering how I felt yesterday morning, I’m incredibly proud of that number. • The Progress: That adds another 3 miles to the tally, bringing my grand total to 39 miles! A Personal Note: I’m learning that this challenge isn't just about the miles—it's about the resilience required to keep moving when things get difficult. Today is a new day, and I’m taking it one step at a time. Share

🔥 45 MINUTES OF PURE DETERMINATION 🔥

Monday 11th May I’ll be honest—today was a struggle. My back has been in a bad way, and there were moments this morning where the treadmill felt like a mountain I couldn't climb. But I remembered why I’m doing this, gritted my teeth, and got to work. Today’s Milestone: • The Effort: I aimed for 30 minutes, but I pushed through for 45 minutes at Pace 3. • The Steps: That effort took me over the 5,200 step mark for the day! 👟 • The Progress: Adding 3 miles to my journey today. • Grand Total: I am now officially at 36 miles! 📈 Today’s Dedication: Today’s miles are dedicated to Resilience. It’s about those days when your body wants to stop, but your heart tells you to keep going. This is for everyone facing the daily, often invisible, challenges of Parkinson’s. We keep moving! A Note to My Supporters: Crossing the 35-mile mark feels like a massive weight off my shoulders. 36% of the challenge is in the bag! Now, it's time for the heat packs, a comfy bed, and some much-needed rest. 🛋️🧊 Share

⌚️ TONY TO THE RESCUE & THE POWER OF POTTERING ⌚️

Sunday 10th May Today was a real battle between "Severe Pain" and "Yorkshire Determination." My back has been giving me a very hard time, and for a while, I didn't think I’d manage much at all. But I couldn't just sit still! The Technical Save: After 6 loyal years, my Apple Watch finally gave up the ghost today. Luckily, my partner Tony came to the rescue and very kindly donated a Garmin to the cause. He is an absolute lifesaver—not only for the watch but for being my secret weapon in keeping this challenge on track! Today’s Milestone: • The Movement: 6 trips up and down the stairs, a mooch around The Range garden centre, and some therapeutic gardening. • The Extra Mile: I even managed 30 minutes on the treadmill at a steady pace just to keep the legs moving. • The Total: Hit over 5,018 steps today! 👟 • The Progress: That adds 2 miles to my journey, bringing the tracker to 33 miles total. 📈 Today’s Dedication: Today is dedicated to Tony. Thank you for saving the day and ensuring I can continue to track every single step of this 100-mile journey. A Note to My Supporters: I might not have hit a 10k Sunday, but I’ve learned that "pottering" counts just as much as "pounding the pavement." I'm ending the day 32% finished with the whole challenge. Resting up now with the heat packs and much needed pain relief! 🛋️🧊 Share

💪 GRITTING MY TEETH FOR THE HAPPY WANDERERS! 💪

Saturday 9th May Today was a tough one. My back was giving me significant pain, and there were moments I wasn't sure I’d make it onto the treadmill at all. But I thought about the community I'm doing this for, gritted my teeth, and put in a solid 46 minutes. Today’s Milestone: • The Steps: Pushed through for 8,070 steps! 👟 • The Progress: That adds 3.5 miles to my journey. • Total Distance: On the tracker, I am now sitting at a grand total of 31 miles! 📈 Nearly a third of the way there! Today’s Dedication: Today is dedicated to the Parkinson’s Drop-in Service. I have such treasured memories of our monthly meetings with colleagues and attendees—it’s a community built on support and shared experience. I also want to give a massive shout-out to Happy Wanderers Transport. They provide such a valuable service, ensuring our attendees and support workers could actually attend. Without them, many of those treasured memories wouldn't have been possible. 🚐💙 A Personal Note: The "human tomato" face made an appearance again, and the back is definitely feeling those miles now, but crossing the 30-mile mark makes it all worth it. Resting up now to go again tomorrow! Thank you for all the donations and support. We’re doing this! 🌍💙🍓🥤 Share

🙏 TENACITY, TRIUMPH, AND A SPECIAL TRIBUTE 🙏

Friday 8th May Today was a true test of that "Yorkshire grit." This morning took a very scary turn with a 9-10 pain crisis that resulted in an ambulance being called. It was a concerning and agonizing start to the day, but thanks to the incredible paramedics, some very strong painkillers, and a stash of heat packs, I was determined not to let the day slip away. Today’s Milestone: • The Steps: Against all odds, I completed 5,172 steps today! 👟 • The Progress: This brings my total to 27 miles on the tracker! 📈 • The Goal: I have now officially smashed through over one-quarter of my 100-mile goal! Today’s Dedication: Every one of those hard-earned steps today was dedicated to Bob (the current Chairman of Parkinson’s Harrogate & Ripon) and his wonderful wife Philomena. Today, it was my honor to carry them with me as I pushed through the pain. A Note to My Supporters: It hasn't been easy, and today was a reminder of how unpredictable health can be. But seeing the donations and the support keeps me moving even when things feel impossible. I’m resting up now with my heat packs, ready to keep going tomorrow. Thank you for being in my corner. This is for Uncle Barry, John Sheepy, Bob & Philomena, and everyone fighting Parkinson’s. 🌍💙🍓🥤 Share

✨ 23 MILES DOWN: A TRIBUTE TO YORKSHIRE GRIT ✨

Thursday 7th May The momentum is officially staying strong! Today was all about consistency, keeping that 100-mile target in my sights, and "just getting on with it." Today’s Milestone: • The Steps: Smashed out 5,250 steps today! 👟 • The Progress: My new total is 23.04 miles. I’ve officially completed 23% of the challenge! 📈 Today’s Dedication: Every step today was dedicated to Bob. He had an absolute Yorkshire attitude to life and was fondly admired for his tenacity to just get on with things and accept whatever was thrown at him. A genuine fellow and a true inspiration for this challenge. If Bob could see me now, I know he’d tell me to stop fussing and keep walking! A Little Update from the Front Lines: If I’m looking a bit extra "glowy" in my photos today, it’s because the "human tomato" effect is out in full force! 🍅 Between the spring sunshine and the treadmill miles, I am definitely earning every single penny of your kind donations. My face feels like it’s boiling, but as Bob would say, I’m just getting on with it! 📢 Huge Thanks: Thank you to everyone who has donated and cheered me on. Every notification is a massive boost. Remember, I’m the only one clocking these miles for our team, so please keep checking back here for the daily proof! 🙏🏻 Share

☕️ MILES, VIEWS, AND AN AMAZING NEW DONATION! 🏔️

Wednesday 6th May Another brilliant day in the bag! I’m feeling so grateful for the fresh air and the incredible support rolling in. Today’s Highlights: • The Progress: Smashed out 7,370 steps today! 👟 Whether it was on the treadmill or out in the fresh air, every step counts toward that 100-mile goal. • Doggy Motivation: A massive thank you to Bumble (the best walking buddy!) for the company on our dog walk today. 🐾 • The Best Reward: I treated myself to a stunning walk with a cuppa in hand, just taking in the most beautiful spring views. Moments like that make the hard work so worth it. ☕️🌸 📢 BIG THANK YOU: A huge, heartfelt thank you to Sam for such a very kind donation today! 💙 Sam, your support means the world and is a massive boost as I head into the next few days of the challenge. Today’s dedication is to our much loved Keith & Margaret who were legends in their own right. Always loved and admired 💙 Share

Bumble the bestie 🐝

Tuesday 5th May Helping me smash today’s target! Not sure who enjoyed the spring sunshine more—me or her? 🐾🌸 Share

✨ DEFICIT DEFEATED & A SPECIAL TRIBUTE ✨

Tuesday 5th May

What a difference 24 hours makes! After those tech issues over the weekend, I am officially back on track and feeling more motivated than ever. 💃✨

Today’s Wins:

• Catch-Up Complete: Between two lovely dog walks 🐾 and a final 15-minute treadmill walk, I smashed out 7,472 steps today!

• The Comeback: That officially clears my weekend deficit and puts me ahead of schedule.

• Total Progress: I’ve now logged 17.3 miles toward my 100-mile goal! 👟📈

• Generosity Overflow: A huge, heartfelt thank you to Marie and Katie for your donations today! You join Jill M Hambley in making this a record-breaking day for the fundraiser. 💙🙌

📢 Reminder for Supporters:

This is technically a "Team" page, but I’m the only one walking! 🙋‍♀️ To see my daily "human tomato" photos, the dog walk highlights, and the step-by-step proof, please continue to check out this personal page.

Today’s Dedication:

Every step from today was dedicated to John Sheepy, our beloved chairman of Parkinson’s Harrogate & Ripon, who we miss every day. 

With 1 in 37 people diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime, we are walking for a cure! 🌍🍓🥤

Share

✨ TRIPLE DONATION BOOST & A PROGRESS UPDATE! ✨

Tuesday 5th May

I am absolutely blown away! 💃 While I was busy catching up on my miles, three amazing donations landed from Jill M Hambley, Marie, and Katie! 💙🔥 Ladies, thank you so much for your generosity—your support has totally fueled my fire for today’s session!

Already completed 1 dog walk today, now number 2 is pending.

Thank you 🙏🏻 

Share

✨A HUGE THANK YOU! ✨

Tuesday 5th May

I am absolutely buzzing! 💃 A brand new donation landed from the lovely Jill M Hambley. 

Jill, thank you so much for your generosity—it’s fueled my fire for today’s steps! 💙🔥

Share

✨ My Uncle Barry ✨

Tuesday 5th May A true legend, the man who sparked my lifelong obsession with strawberry milkshakes, and a warrior who lived with Parkinson’s. 🍓🥤✨ Share

✨ THE 'TOMATO' UPDATE ✨(May the 4th be with you)

Tuesday 5th May The "Merciful" Approach: "In an act of total mercy, I’ve cropped out my neon-red face—but I’m definitely showing the receipts for these miles! 👟🔥 Share

✨ THE 'TOMATO' UPDATE ✨

Tuesday 5th May

As most of you know, I’m taking on the 100 Miles in May challenge for Parkinson’s UK! 💙🚶‍♀️

I officially kicked off on Friday 1st May.. but let’s just say my Apple Watch decided to have a full-on digital meltdown. 🤦‍♀️😂 Because it wasn't tracking all my weekend steps, I ended up with a "lovely" little deficit to catch up on! 📉

Challenge accepted. 😤

- Monday 4th (May the 4th be with you).. I’ve been smashing out my daily target plus every extra step my legs would allow. The result? I currently look like a full-blown, prize-winning tomato. 🍅🤣🤣 Thankfully, I was on the treadmill—alone—so the only witness to my glow was the wall! (PMSL) 🏃‍♀️💨

But in all seriousness, the why behind the miles is what keeps me moving when the legs get heavy.

1️⃣ The reddest face known to mankind (I’m sparing myself🤣)

2️⃣ My Uncle Barry — a total legend, the man who sparked my lifelong obsession with strawberry milkshakes, and a true warrior who lived with Parkinson’s. 🍓🥤✨

I’m doing this for him.

I’m doing this for every family navigating Parkinson’s.

And I’m doing this for me—to rebuild myself, step by step, mile by mile. 💙💪✨

Thank you all for the support, the donations, and for cheering on the "Human Tomato"! 

Every penny truly changes worlds. 🌍🙏

#ParkinsonsUK #100MilesInMay #StandByMe #StrawberryMilkshakeLegacy #MovingForUncleBarry

Share