I am challenging myself whilst raising funds for PUK!
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! As many of you will know, I am NOT a Runner but back in December, I agreed to take part in the Great North Run on 13 September 2026 to raise vital funds for Parkinson's UK. For me, this is the biggest physical challenge I have ever taken on so this is a big deal!
Please help by sponsoring my challenge. The more I raise before the event, the more I will be inspired and motivated to do this. All money raised will help fund research and help support the Parkinson's community.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2023. My outlook on life has not changed at all - I am still the same outgoing and positive person and determined to live well with the condition for as long as I can. Exercise has long been championed as a means of slowing down the progression of Parkinson's so the training and build-up to this challenge will be beneficial for my health as well as raising much needed funds for research into finding a cure for Parkinson's. I have a big birthday at the end of this year so this event will be extra special for me.
Parkinson's is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world and in the UK alone, there are over 166,000 people with the condition and expected to rise to 173,000 by 2030. Worryingly, it is thought there are over 20,000 people with Parkinson's but undiagnosed. You can make such a difference to help the Parkinson's community with a donation of any amount. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
My updates
I did it!
Monday 14th Sep 2 hours 37 minutes and including Gift Aid, over £3k raised - BOOM! What more can I say...never again but glad I did it ❤️ Share
GNR Eve
Saturday 12th Sep Just had a last supper with Jo and some fellow Runners. Filled up with Carbs and ........... beer! Walking back to hotel and hoping for a good night's sleep. Total raised has increased another £150 this evening so thank you! Share
24 hours to go.....
Saturday 12th Sep Getting ready for train journey to Newcastle. Very excited! However, last night I thought I had a splinter at the bottom of my big toe - turns out it's a cut and already it's playing on my mind. Whatever, nothing will stop me💪 Wearher conditions look perfect for tomorrow. Share
MIXED FEELINGS WITH 48 HOURS TO GO
Friday 11th Sep With 2 days to go, I am full of different emotions.
Final Push
Wednesday 9th Sep Since my last blog om Sunday, we have another £300 of donations so could be £2k by tonight! Tomorrow, Anthony the Owner of The Blue Boar in Longworth is donating the money raised from the Monthly Quiz to my fundraising page so super excited that my 3rd Tlarget is likely to be smashed. Whilst waiting for my car to have its MOT, I found a park and ran 3 miles. That's it. - no more running but will cycle 25lm later and playing Pickleball and Tennis this week as well as Walking Football tomorrow after a summer break. Thank you everyone who has supported me thus far. Jx Share
Raising the Bar 💪
Sunday 6th Sep With 7 days to go before the big day, I have decided to push my boundaries even more! I will push the boundaries on Race Day to complete my first Half Marathon but today, I am pushing my fundraising boundary. I started at £1k, then after a "Call to Arms" from my son Cameron, we smashed that target so raised to £2k. In the next 7 days, I am determined to reach £2250! After all, Jo jumped out of a plane and raised £3k 🤣🤣. Please share my page with your friends and family to help achieve this ambitious target. THANK YOU! 💪 Share
Fundraising Target
Friday 4th Sep I have given myself even more pressure..... I have doubled my fundraising target from £1000 to £2000. Please share this link with friends and family to help me achieve this as only 10 days to go until the GNR! Share
Another 5 miles - BOOM!
Friday 4th Sep
Getting there
Tuesday 1st Sep
Smashed Target £!!
Thursday 27th Aug
Brussels
Wednesday 26th Aug
Very Sad News
Tuesday 25th Aug
250m Sprints
Sunday 23rd Aug
Feeling more positive now!
Wednesday 19th Aug A few days ago, I can't lie - i was struggling and couldn't seem to motivate myself for the GNR. I don't enjoy running at all and even though my distances are growing and my times declining, I won't ever enjoy running. However, i am embracing it for another 4 weeks until the big day. Being able to run is mostly a mindset thing - most of us can physically run if being chased or running for the departing bus. However, I have found small runs coupled with a positive attitude help you to achieve your goals.. Today I have run 7 miles in just over an hour. I feel very good today...... Share
Feeling i am failing 😣
Friday 14th Aug Glass is always half full in my world but self-doubt is kicking in. Donations have dried up and I am short of my target. I have only managed to run half the distance so with Donation Target not achieved, I am questioning my worth in this bonkers challenge - please help me out in any way you can. THANK YOU! Share
Ran over 7 miles......
Tuesday 11th Aug ...... I forgot to start my run on fitbit and managed to run 5 miles across fields rather than roads 🤣🤣. Share
Slow progress ...... but progress no less!
Tuesday 28th Jul I hit a block and decided I hate running 🤣. It's been too hot; I've been too busy; I'll cycle instead; September is months away and so it goes on. I had a guilt trip yesterday when Jo asked when I was going to do some serious training so at that moment, I asked her to drive me 7 miles away and leave me - and leave me she did! With a small bottle of water and temp rising to 26oC, I put one foot in front of the other and first 3 miles, I ran whilst wheezing and hoping a car would appear so I could stop but no cars saved me. After 3 miles, all I could see was a straight road in front of me that didn't seem to get shorter. I did some games where I ran to a signpost in the shade,,walked for 30 secs then back to a run. My bowels started to make their presence known (a Parkinson's symptom for short notice) so my pace increased then had to slow down to be more comfortable. Eventually made it in just over an hour!! Today I dropped the car off for a service in Oxford 12 miles away. Couldn't bear the thought of running so cycled today....... let's hope the GNR crowd push me the distance! JC Share
Strava ??
Sunday 5th Jul
Another 3.6 miles
Saturday 4th Jul
Slow progress l
Thursday 2nd Jul Since cycling London to Oxford last month, I have the cycling bug so cycle more than I run - particularly in the hot weather. I am back to the gym and managed 5 miles on the treadmill. Really need to feel your support to get me over the line for this ❤️ Share
First day on treadmill
Sunday 1st Mar I have signed up with a local gym and did my first 30 minutes on a treadmill in preparation for the coming weeks. I ran continuously and cranked up the speed to 8km after a while with a slight gradient. Felt ok tbh and looking forward to drier weather to run outside. Let's do this 😀 ShareThank you to my sponsors
£23.45
Kirsty
£33.83
Gary & Franziska
£12.25
Isabelle Cooper Graves
Wishing you the best for today, you amazing man.
£30
Jonathan B
Fantastic thing to do. Go Jonathan!
£20
Vanessa Naworynsky
Good Luck - enjoy the run! A great achievement!
£12.25
Anonymous
£50
Helen Batchelor
Amazing cause Jon…try and enjoy every mile. An awesome challenge for a superb charity close to both our hearts. Helen xx
£10
Kevin
Well done. Kevin
£33.83
Annie Wootton
You CAN do it So brave xx
£28.44
Jerry & Mylo 🐾
£270
Anthony Burnham - Blue Boar
GOOD LUCK FROM THE QUIZ TEAMS AT THE BLUE BOAR Cheers Anthony & The Team
£55.88
Jonathan Newell
Good luck. You're an inspiration!
£200
Penny Corp
Wishing you the very best of luck Jon. So very proud of you and know you will do this! Love Mum x
£17.89
Debbie Keep
Go go Jonathan fantastic from you’re walking football colleague
£23.45
Lucy Thirtle
Go for it. Wish I had your determination.
£25
Simon And Tracy
Well done Cuz, another great effort!
£28.44
Dean
Good luck bud ,should be a walk in the park
£33.83
Lewis Latham
Great effort Jonathan
£12.25
Matt
£30
Laura Borg
You got this Jonathan!! Well done!
£55.88
John & Justine
Good luck. Just keep moving
£30
Anders Corp
You got this!! Love from nephew bear!
£10
Alix
Best of luck for your run!!
£23.45
Anonymous
£100
Cameron Corp
Dad, the final week and the final push. I’m so so proud of you, you’re going to smash this run and I am in awe of how hard you’ve worked. Love you
£23.45
Justin Davenport
Good Luck !
£33.83
Diane
Good luck Jo, wishing you the very best.
£23.45
Fiona + Willow & Indi
Good luck thinking of you x
£70
Anonymous
£20
Hazel Blackford (ewan's Nan)
Hi Jonathan, this is a message from Ewan's Nan (Hazel). She wanted to donate to your cause and wanted to wish you the very best of luck x
£10
Mandy & Jim
Wishing you the very best of luck Jonathan. Love Mandy & Jim
£20
Jullia Phaff
You can do it! Love Julia
£12.25
Joe
£23.45
Steve Pitson
Good luck
£5
Oliver Burke
Incredible work - what an inspiration.
£30
Alazne Corp-lopez
From your favourite niece in Australia<3
£20
Ben Black
£50
Kieran Brown
Good luck!!
£28.44
Jeff Yates
£12.25
Ros Baggott
This is amazing Jon, wishing you all the very best of luck ❤️
£15
Selvi Sahin
Best of luck! You've raised a great lad & supporting a great cause 👏
£23.45
Anonymous
£23.45
Leah Bentley
This is amazing, all of the best x
£10
Shannon Ghee
You’ve got thisss!!!!! 🙌
£55.88
Bobby Venables
Best of luck Jonathan smash it!
£23.45
George Groody
£50
Ewan Baggott
You're the man, Mr Corp! Thanks for everything you've done for me over the years. I know you'll smash this x
£17.89
Martin Woolley
You were so close - couldn’t resist the ‘glory donation’ to get you over the line Jon!!
£23.45
Denis
Well done, good luck
£100
Josh Evans
Wishing you all the very best. Thinking of you, Jonathan, and I hope this helps in some small way. You had a real impact on my life while I was growing up, and I hope this small contribution can help in some way. Jevs ❤️
£12.25
Luke Brewer
Sending my love big JC xx
£23.45
Harry Compton
Good luck JC, will be thinking of you ❤️
£50
Seokjin Kim
All the best Jonathan! Cheering for you from London 🙌🙌
£25
Gary Strickland
Best of luck on the day
£10
Louise
£12.25
Linny Rubra
You're doing an amazing thing!
£33.83
Peter Kemp
Don't ease up now JC; you can do it!
£20
Trevor Jones
Good Luck!
£10
Rachael Moon
£54.75
Nick And Diane
All the very best. We know you’ll smash it.
£11.55
Jo
Good luck JC!
£22.80
Jane Dudley
Go Jonathan … you can do it! Xxx
£33.15
Freddie Page
Good luck. Freddie
£22.80
Martin Woolley
Great work Jon!
£33.15
Andrew Or
£22.80
Paul & Philip
Best of luck Jonathan - inspirational! P&Px
£22.80
Ange Plant
Go Jonathan! Wish we could all be there in Newcastle to cheer you on, but we’ll be there in spirit! Another incredible challenge you’ve set yourself JC, you’re gonna smash it! 🤩
£22.80
Franziska Schaublin
Good luck 😃!!
£22.80
Thomas Wilsdon
Best wishes JC. Wish I could run it with you. You are truly inspirational the way you are dealing with things.
£22.80
Nicholas Deakin
You can do it JC!
£22.80
Caroline Ross
You are truly inspirational Jonathon , I know you’ll smash this , just like everything you set your mind to !! ❤️
£32.23
Tina King
Well done Jon, Jo keeps us informed about your progress keep going superman xx
£100
Clare Barclay
You are one of the good ones JC and I treasure those years we worked together very much. Good luck with the run, you've got this I'm sure. Keep on keeping on with this positive mental attitude and you'll smash it. Heaps of love my dear friend xxx
£21.84
Jill Dunning
Good luck!
£32.23
Mark Pritchard
What a star! Hopefully the London to Oxford bike ride will be good training!
£20
Dan, Svb
Keep at it 👏👏👏
£20
Kieran Brown
Well done!
£20
Seokjin Kim
Yes Jonathan ❤️
£50
Cameron Corp
Go Dad! Forever proud of you, you’re an inspiration. 🙌🏼❤️
£32.23
Estella
£21.84
Colin Wood
Go Johnny Go 👊
