Mel Ajibade

My activity tracking

144
miles

Why I am fundraising for Parkinson's UK

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! I’m taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon for Parkinson’s UK and would really appreciate your support!

For those of you close to me, you will understand my desire to raise as much money as possible for this wonderful charity. To those not aware, I am doing this for my Dad. My wonderful, big, strong Dad who I love very much. I grew up thinking how brave he was doing his job - a trawlerman going out in all weathers to catch fish and make a living. He used to work as a permanent RNLI crew member on the Clovelly lifeboat. He used to act as support vessel for swimmers attempting to swim the English Channel. And in amongst all of that, he was our Dad - funny, kind, warm, loving and fair.

After working so hard for so many years, I was really happy when he finally retired and he and Mum took a 'gap year' and moved to Fuerteventura and it was great fun to visit them and see how much they had embraced the life there. However, when they returned in 2014, I think in all honesty, we all could tell that Dad wasn't 'right'.

He was of course subsequently diagnosed with Parkinson's. Once again, I looked up to my Dad as a brave person, but this time, not facing rough seas, but having to face this awful disease.

I love my Dad with all my heart and always will, but this disease has robbed him of being the man he was. It has robbed him of the pleasure of retirement, and it has also robbed my Mum of the pleasure of hers as she now spends her time caring for him.

I know that any money I can hope to raise probably won't benefit my Dad, but I would do anything I could to try and make sure that other families do not have to see a loved one suffer like this.

Please help by sponsoring my challenge. All money raised will help fund breakthroughs and help support the Parkinson's community.

Thank you

Please help me
reach my goal

Raised

£676 + £ 102.75 GiftAid

My Goal

£550

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Yes, I am a UK tax payer and am happy for my donations to be gift aided.Gift AidYou must be a UK taxpayer and understand that if you pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all of your donations across all Charities, it is your responsibility to pay any difference. Parkinson's UK reclaims 25p for every £1 you donate from the tax you pay for the current tax year. If you change your name, address or tax status, do let us know.

My achievements

My updates

Weeks 4-17

Saturday 22nd Feb

Well, what can I say? Time just flies. From celebrating my birthday and then Christmas, to dark mornings and evenings and frost and ice. It’s made it very difficult for me to train in any other place than the gym ☹️

I did manage my first outdoor evening run this week…although it was completely dark by the time I got home. Straight online to buy a running light ready for next week.

Today, Tayo flew to Nigeria for two weeks, and I dropped him at the airport early this morning. Took advantage of the early start and lovely weather to attempt a longer run…. and I managed to run the furthest I have ever run, to date. My legs are now somewhat achy and the bath is calling my name, so I’m going to relax now. I might ache for a few hours, but that’s nothing in comparison to what my Dad has to put up with, constantly, as a result of PD. The more money we can raise for this brilliant cause, the more research and development of new drugs and treatments can take place and breakthroughs will be achieved. The achy legs are worth it 😉

Longest run!!!

Saturday 22nd Feb

Training weeks 2 & 3

Sunday 17th Nov

Both weeks have been fairly similar, in that I had two treadmill sessions and focused my longer runs outside.

My longer run for week 2 was 8km, so I decided to switch up the scenery and I took the tube to Chalfont and Latimer, then ran home. Fantastic run, really enjoyed it.

I’ve just completed my longer run for week 3 - a progressive 9km, so I could practice my pacing..found it quite hard. Could have been due to the blister on my heel from uncomfortable boots on a Friday night out…..note to self….dont do that again!!

This coming week I have a step down week, so a bit of a rest. Great that it’ll coincide with my birthday.

A big thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far. I’m really grateful for your support 😊😊

Training week 1

Monday 4th Nov

More of a tortoise than a hare, start training early, take it easy, and you will get there!!

I wouldn't say I'm a 'natural' runner, but I really do enjoy it. So to be able to use running as a means to raising money for such an important cause is great for me.

But, half marathon?........hmmmmmm - maybe I've bitten off more than I can chew......

I have a training plan now and I started on Tuesday 29th October with a 4km easy treadmill run. Most of my training will be on a treadmill due to the time of year - too dark to run before work and too dark to run after work.

I hadn't actually been to the gym for a couple of weeks due to an ankle injury and then a few days away. But I got that run done.

Thursday was my 'long' run for the week - 6km. I think pacing will be my biggest issue to overcome. I ran 6km in 45.5minutes, but I know I can run it faster than that. The point, I know, is to get into the habit of pacing - whatever speed I really can run 6km at, is not the pace I will be running at the big event.

My third and final run of the first week was outside!! Perfect weather - dry and middling temperatures. I was meant to run 5.5km, but ended up closer to 6.

..............and that's it - week one and done!

Thank you to my sponsors

£50

Jordan & Lydia

Good Luck (Not that you’ll need it!)

£10

Lou

You'll absolutely smash it my lovely 🥰 xxx

£20

Sue Adams

£50

Patricia Fenton

You can do it Sweetheart, lots of love Mum and Dad.xxx

£26

Veena

So proud of you , well done on all the training…and best of luck for the day

£30

Nicci Salewski

Good luck Mel! X

£30

Jules

Good luck….you’ll smash it

£20

Joseph Petch

Good Luck Mel :)

£30

Luciana

Well done for doing it! Enjoy your running!

£30

The Throwers

Good Luck, Mel !

£30

Frank Smith

Just take the DLR Mel no one will ever know!

£25

Sophie Lane

Good Luck with the challenge Mel, and all for a good cause.

£30

Bayo & Joy

Good luck Mel. Well done, all the best.

£50

Kent Soper

Well done Mel

£20

Becky Mothersole

Good luck!!

£50

Mdg

Well done Mel

£25

Claire Peters

A wonderful charity which is close to my family's hearts. Good luck Mel! ❤️

£20

Colin & Sharon

Good luck Mel (and Tayo), hoping you raise as much money as possible for a very good cause. Enjoy your training and race day.

£10

Charlotte De Paepe

You can do it Mel! Good luck, dig deep and keep going :) x

£30

Neill Johnson

Good luck Mel!

£20

Peter Ginger

Good luck Mel

£20

Enk

Good luck, Mel - You can do it...

£30

Emma