Why I am fundraising for Parkinson's UK
In February 2024, I was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's diagnosis at 44 (the average age for diagnosis is 69). Doh.
I since found out that exercise isn't just good for Parkinson's, it's essential. So I've been throwing everything at it: running, HIIT sessions, kickboxing, the gym. My daily Sinimet keeps me steady, but it's the endorphins and this new goal that keep me going.
Parkinson's has taken some things from me but it's also given me others. I've always dreamed of running the London Marathon, and I'll never be in better shape for it than I am now - so let's do it.
I'll have some extra challenges. My left hand now has its own little dance routine if I hold it in a traditional runner's pose, and my left foot usually decides it wants to go head left rather than straight ahead.
I'm running for Parkinson's UK because they're doing awesome work supporting people like me and funding research that could change everything. With 153,000 people living with Parkinson's in the UK, every pound raised makes a real difference.
So, whether you can spare the price of a coffee or a slap up fancy dinner, your support will drag me over the finish line and help Parkinson's UK continue their vital work.
My updates
Why your support matters to me
Tuesday 20th JanShare@parkypuns I'm running the London Marathon for and with Parkinson's! Here are the bad things your sponsorship will stop happening to me. #parkinsonsuk #parkinsons #londonmarathon #fundraising
♬ original sound - charitychap
Thank you to my sponsors
£32.23
Teresa Keown
£30
Heather Taylor
Go Matt! Very impressive!
£20
Rosie Ferguson
Great video Matt. Giving to avoid the Matt-ban (and because you are awesome as always xxx)
£21.84
Tom Crowe
Good luck Matt!
£32.23
Mary Musselbrook
£53.32
Marie
Good luck Matt!
£20
Sam Magee
Best of luck Matt. Hope ‘Life is an egg’ by Cinzano is on the marathon training playlist….
£20
Lizzie Huang
Good luck Matt !
£32.23
Tracy Carty
Strength and support. Amazing challenge. X
£53.32
Fiona Donnelly
£15
Tori Jaffer
All the best Matt, can’t wait to see more of the journey!!!!
£11.33
Ellie Harte
Good luck Matt!
£21.84
Gemma Hampson
Kick boxing and marathons. Mad man! You’ll smash it x
£53.32
Amanda Neylon
Go you!
£100
Clive & Kate
£53.32
Lisa Clavering
You've always be a legend but this is something else. Run, Matty, run! Big love x
£20
Joe Freeman
Good luck Matt!
£11.33
Louisa Backway
£11.33
Samuel Davies
£11.33
Liam Nolan
£212
Hugh Buster Gleeb Collins
£11.33
Sadie Constable
Good luck Matt!
£21.84
Michael Carhart-harris
Good luck, Matt!
£32.23
Tim L
£106
Marie Friel
Massive respect from a semi lapsed runner, you are inspiring us all to get out an make a difference
£103.60
Tom Johnson
£31.51
Ella Hardy
Go Matt!! You are amazing!
£26.20
Catherine Raynor
Woo hooooooooo! So pleased you're making this happen! Good luck.
£11.33
Ben Kammerling
Good luck and happy running!
£21.84
Anneka Ruff
Amazing work Matt! Good luck with the training!
£21.84
Jh
£15
Jamie Atkins
Go get it, Matt!
£53.32
Sarah Gate
Good luck!
£20
Kirsty Mooney
HUGE well done for signing up and training for this! Absolutely amazing challenge. Well done Matt!
£21.84
Sophie Drouet
100 park runs AND a marathon on the horizon is impressive stuff Matt, good luck!
£20
Nikki Corney
Good luck Matt! You've got this!!
£21.84
Sarah Key
Go Matt! Please run a few steps with my grandmother Margaret in your heart. She lived with Parkinson's too and would so admire you and what you're doing, especially as a Londoner.
£265
Hugh Buster Gleeb Collins
£20
Ruman Hasan
You've got this Matt 💪🏽 Looking forward to cheering you on!
£21.84
Louise Friel
£21.84
Jemma Hewson
Matt, Happy Birthday, and smash this run. you are an inspiration! Jemma
£11.33
Liam Nolan
Hats off to you, Matt! Best of luck!
£106
Alexander King
£11.09
Teri Doubtfire
Looking forward to seeing you cross the finish line! You'll be grand 💪
£21.84
Ashley Goldstein
Happy birthday Matt!
£30
Ross Mcculloch
Best of luck Matt!!
£20
Jo H
Good on ya, lad!
£30
Fran, Gary, Penny And Maisie
You've got this!
£11.09
Nancy Scott
Best of luck Matt!
£20
Kate Phelps
Good luck Matt, you’re braver (madder?) than I am!
£10
David Lacey
Best of luck, Matt
Good luck Matt !