Why we are running for Parkinson's UK and The Melissa Bell Foundation
Some challenges don't end when the race does. They stay with you. And sometimes, they bring new people with them.
In 2026, Alexandra Burke, David Burke, Darren Randolph, Gregory Pantlin, and Jodi Barthel are taking on the London Marathon together. For some of us, it's a return. For Greg, it's his first. And for all of us, it's in support of two causes that matter deeply to us: Parkinson's UK and The Melissa Bell Foundation, run in honour of Alexandra and David’s Mum, Melissa Bell.
Parkinson's is a cause that has touched our wider family and people close to us. It's something we've experienced through loved ones and close family friends, including those who have lost a parent to the condition. That personal connection is what brings Parkinson's UK to the forefront for us this year.
Around 166,000 people live with Parkinson's in the UK, and the condition is on the rise. In the UK today, someone is diagnosed every 20 minutes. By 2050, the number of people living with Parkinson's worldwide is expected to double to 25 million. Scary stats, but it’s through donations that we might be able to change this outlook in the years ahead with your help.
Parkinson's UK supports people living with Parkinson's and the families who stand beside them.
Their work in research, care, and advocacy makes a real difference, and we're proud to be raising funds to support it.
Alongside this, we continue to run for the Melissa Bell Foundation and the legacy Alexandra and David’s mum left behind.
Her passion, generosity, and belief in young people continue to guide everything we do.
Through The Melissa Bell Foundation, her spirit lives on by helping young people pursue their dreams through a summer scholarship at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, a cause she cared deeply about.
The heart of this run is familiar, but the purpose has grown.
Training isn't always pretty. There are long runs, early mornings, and days when the legs feel heavy, and motivation is hard to find. But we keep showing up. For family. For memory. And for people who need support now and in the future.
And we can't do it alone.
If you'd like to help, here are a few simple ways:
● Donate: Every contribution supports Parkinson's UK and The Melissa Bell Foundation.
● Share: Passing this on helps spread awareness.
● Learn more: Visit Parkinson's UK and The Melissa Bell Foundation to understand the impact of their work.
● Cheer us on: Your encouragement carries us through the hardest miles.
We’ll be sharing the journey again. The training, the honest moments, and race day itself. If you follow along, you're part of this with us.
Same heart.
A growing team.
Still running for Mum
