Why we are fundraising for Parkinson's UK
Hi everyone!
On 10th May 2026, Michael will be taking on the Leeds Marathon and Em will be tackling the Half Marathon to raise money for Parkinson’s UK, a cause that means a huge amount to our family.
Michael’s dad has Parkinson’s, and he’s our biggest inspiration — a 12-time Ironman triathlete who refuses to let anything hold him back. His determination and positivity motivate us every day, and this challenge is our way of trying to embrace a small amount of that spirit and support the incredible work Parkinson’s UK does for those living with the condition.
Neither of us are exactly seasoned long distance runners — Michael hadn’t run more than 5K before March — and Emily is taking on the Leeds Half Marathon less than 18 months after we welcomed our first baby in November 2024. So, to say it’s a big challenge for both of us is an understatement!
Training around sleepless nights and family life is tough, but knowing we’re doing this for such an important cause keeps us going. Every donation, no matter the size, helps Parkinson’s UK continue their vital research and support for people affected by Parkinson’s.
Thank you so much for any contribution you can make — your support means the world to us and our family.
My updates
Completed it ✅
Monday 11th May
Thankyou & Race numbers
Thursday 7th May We just wanted to say a massive thankyou to everyone who has so generously donated - we’ve gone massively beyond what we set out to raise and it means so much to us both, and to Dad.Thank you to my sponsors
£10
Gaff
£11.33
Kath Holmes
Well done !
£25
Megan, Conor And Cillian
Huuuuge well done Evans and Emily! What an achievement, Harry must be very proud of his mummy & daddy 💕💕
£11.33
Jemma Craven
Well done both of you! X
£30
Pete & Vicki Johnstone
Fantastic effort today and a great cause. Well done.
£50
Jp & Georgia
Absolutely smashed it both of you, well done 👏
£21.84
Joe Gardiner
£30
Paul Arrowsmith
Good luck with half / full marathon. Have fun. Enjoy the experience.
£40
Helen And Chris Smith
A great cause. Will watch out for you this morning.
£20
Josh, Nikki, & Arabella
Good Luck Both!!
£6.11
Christina Piatti
Good luck .
£53.32
Ruth, Tom, Charlie & Archie
Good Luck tomorrow! 🏃♀️🏃♂️X
£21.36
Helen Flaherty
Good luck Michael and Emily.Such a good cause x
£27.05
Daniel And Seanna
Good luck, you'll smash it x
£10
Moira Martland
Good luck! Keep going, you can do it!
£21.84
Anne Waddington
Good luck tomorrow! It’s a great cause and a great forecast for runners. I will be cheering you on through Headingley! Xx
£11.33
Beth Campbell
Good Luck Guys! xx
£11.33
Bernie Gaffney
Good luck
£16.56
Jake Clarkson
Best of luck to you both!
£20
Fiona Doherty
Best of luck to you both! 🌟
£21.84
Izzy And Jo
GOOD LOOK MIKE AND EM!!! You will both smash it🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
£16.56
Lola
Good luck 🏃♀️ 🙌🏻
£16.20
Niamh
Best of luck Michael and Emily! Amazing cause . Love all the Enochs x
£53.32
Gabrielle, Tom, Albert And Órla
Good luck, we can’t wait to watch you both with H xxxxx
£53.32
Dominique Fox
Good luck both of you, we're so proud of you! Love Dominique, Toby, Aurora and Willow xxx
£11.33
Caroline Robinson
Good luck! You'll smash it.
£250
Mike & Lucy
Have a great day!
£21.84
Danny B
Good luck, will be cheering you on in O Town!
£6.11
Sally Lee
£21.84
Deborah Morris
Good luck to you both
£21.84
Ash
All the best!
£21.84
Anonymous
£20
Sarah Goss
Amazing effort guys and for such a great cause 💪
£11.09
Charlotte Compton
Good luck guys!!
£21.84
Katie Parkinson
Smashing it!! Well done guys!!
£20
Siobhan Doherty
Good luck to you both! You will smash it - amazing cause 🌟💛
£32.23
Jenni, Alex, Mia, Billie And Roxy Xx
Hope the run goes well! Well done xxx
£32.23
Pam Lythe
Wishing you both every success for such a worthy cause! Good luck!!!
£20
Ivan, Francesca , Ronan & Freddie
Good luck!!
£11.33
Tania & John Fox
Good luck to you both
£11.33
Nicola Gaughan
Good luck xx
£27.05
Jeanette And Steve
Good luck to you both
£21.84
Allison M
Michael your dad is an inspiration to so many people - Good luck to you both , it’s a great cause 👍
£16.56
Greg Bennett
💪💪💪
£6.11
Jemma Wroe
Best of luck!!
£6.11
Karla Robbins
£10
Em Huffinley
Good luck to you both x
£16.56
Immy
All the best guys!
£11.33
Helen Law
£79.50
Maura And Colin Rutherford
£30
Trigg Family
Best of luck with your fund raising
£11.33
Stephanie Hodgson
Best of luck to you both! 🤗
£10
Anonymous
£106
Breda Roberts
Good luck to you both from the Irish crew. Lots of love, Breda, Graham, Clare & Katie
£106
Sc
Well done. Best of luck.
£53.32
Jackie And Johnny Doyle
What a challenge - truly inspirational. Well done xxx
£53.32
Keiron Walsh
Michael - I don't remember your dad being this inspirational as head boy at school. Keep it going Phil.
£11.33
Eunice And Martin
Good luck…a very worthy cause!
£30
Catherine
Well done both of you. Brilliant cause xxx
£32.23
James & Alison
Good luck both of you Xxx
£11.33
Andrea
You'll smash it, good luck!
£50
Becca & George
Go smash it!! You will both be amazing!!
£32.23
John Holdsworth
Go for it guys and do your Dad proud!
£20
Sibley Berty
Well done Em!! Such an important cause ❤️ you will smash it
£21.84
Maria And Geoffrey Lane
Good luck the training is going really well
£5
James
Smashing it Michael!
£50
Luke Baresh
Best of luck, from Becky and Luke xx
£20
Becca Ellis
Good luck both of you ❤️
£50
Ruth & Peter Doherty
Good luck Michael & Emily! Such a worthy cause. You’ll both smash it! 🏃 🏃♀️ xxx
£20
Tom B
Good luck!
£11.33
Jack Parker
Good luck both!! You’ll smash it!!
£21.84
Nadette
What an amazing thing to do Emily and Michael. Looking forward to the finishing line photos x
£21.84
Tania & Andrew
Good luck x
£103.60
Rosie And Phil Evans
Good luck with the training! Looking forward to supporting you, with Harry and the family on the big day xxxxxx
£21.84
Deborah Wall
Good luck, the pair of you. You know where we are if you need a babysitter to get those training miles in.
£21.84
Mick And Bev Flynn
Good luck you two ❤️
£32.23
Donal Mccabe
Great cause. Good luck
£27.05
Stephen Smith
Good luck to the Evan’s clan
£21.84
Rosie & James
You guys will smash it!! 😍🥳🙌🏼
£20
James & Eilidh
You guys will smash it! See you at the finish line!
£11.33
Sam B
Good luck both! God help us all
£11.33
Jess
You will both Smash it! Will be cheering you on from the sidelines! 👏
£10
Lauren Keightley
Good luck to you guys!! You will smash it x
£10
Lindsey Amery
Good luck guys 💙💙
£10
Steve, Vic And Laurie
Best of luck guys! Vic, Laurie and I will be cheering you on the day! Going to smash it!
Well Done, The Gaffey's!