Jonathan Corp

Great North Run 2026

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 and but I have agreed to join Gary Shaugnessy  and friends taking 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 achievements

My updates

Very Sad News

Tuesday 25th Aug
You will no doubt be aware of the heartbreaking news concerning events near Hartlepool. 

I have only just found out that Matthew Blades, who was a member of our GNR Parkinson's Group Chat, was tragically one of the two police officers who lost their lives.

It’s absolutely devastating that he won’t get the chance to stand on that start line with us. Matty took part in many events to raise money for Parkinson’sUK since his Mother in Law's diagnosis of Parkinson's a couple of years ago.

Many people in our group spoke to him, followed his training or simply recognised his name from the group.

I’ll be thinking of him when I run the GNR - he and his family will be at the forefront of my mind and I will reach the finish line for Matty and his family. 

250m Sprints

Sunday 23rd Aug
A very different fundraiser for Parkinson's UK today! Didn't know what i was letting myself in for other than ".... . it's about 8 laps of 250metres per individual". In reality, it was Teams of 8 people running as many laps as quickly as possible and the Team who won clearly ran the most laps in 2 hours! Our Team were Runners Up with 35km covered and winning Team were 2 km more. Sounds easy?! Every 7 mins you are sprinting 250m for 2 hours - hard work but muscles getting stronger!

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......

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!

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 🤣🤣.

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

Strava ??

Sunday 5th Jul
The GNR WhatsApp Group compare Strava stats so I have signed up and now my exercise routines are published for all to see! I am putting this pressure on myself to keep training for the Run in September.

Another 3.6 miles

Saturday 4th Jul
Bumped into people I know and some friendly dogs so got distracted somewhat!

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 ❤️

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 😀

Thank you to my sponsors

£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 👊