Kelsey Dobbins

In Memory of My Lovely Nan x

On the 11th of March 2026, I lost my beautiful Nan, who wasn’t just my Nan, but my best friend. I was incredibly lucky to have 28 years with her, but it will never feel like enough time. She truly was one in a million and loved by so many.

In her later years, my Nan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s which is a progressive neurological condition that worsens over time. It was devastating to watch how it changed her life, she was once a completely fit and healthy woman but the terrible progression of this illness stripped away her independence, made her extremely anxious and the tremors got so bad to the point where she struggled even to make a cup of tea in her final months. I personally didn't realise the effects that Parkinson's could have until I had to watch someone I love go through it, and it isn't spoken about enough.

I am running the Manchester Half Marathon with Parkinson's UK to honour her memory, and I hope more than anything to make her proud. By raising money for this charity, I hope we can edge closer to finding a cure so that other families don't have to watch their loved ones suffer the way my Nan did. Any small contribution you can make would mean the absolute world to me! And thank you for the support x