Jennifer Burns

Why I am fundraising for Parkinson's UK

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! I’m taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon 2027 to raise vital funds for Parkinson's UK. 

Both my parents, Margaret and Joe, had Parkinson’s disease. My mum was diagnosed at 51 years of age and lived for another 13 years. She was an amazing woman who took everything in her stride, always thinking there was someone worse off than her. She suffered, albeit quietly, from the pains of dyskinesia, the exhaustion of tremors, the eventual inability to walk unaided safely, and the loss of daily enjoyments such as not being able to hold her pen to do her favourite Glasgow Herald crossword. She died 20 years ago and although diagnosis and care has improved, it’s imperative we continue to support Parkinson’s research to help patients in the future. My dad was older when diagnosed and had no tremor, which was hard for the family to grasp due to the severity of our mum’s shakes. Surely you shook if you had Parkinson’s?  It took a consultant at another unrelated appointment to say to me “oh I didn’t realise your father had Parkinson’s”. I was about to say that he didn’t when his shuffling walk suddenly became abundantly clear. His difficulty swallowing, his lack of expression in his face also came to mind. From there he was diagnosed and began treatment, living for another few years. 

I was 50 in April 2026. I ran for the first time at 49, running the AJ Bell Glasgow 10K. People said “next you’ll want to do a half marathon”. I did not! Thinking of how I’m a year younger than my mum was at diagnosis has given me a reason to challenge myself and raise some much needed funds. So here goes. I won’t be quick and it’ll be very difficult, but I’ll make sure I finish even if I have to crawl over the finish line 😀.

Please help by sponsoring me whatever you can.