Why I am fundraising for Parkinson's UK
I am fundraising for Parkinson’s UK to continue the fundraising started by PC Matthew Blades whose mother-in-law was diagnosed back in 2025. Matthew was tragically killed while carrying out his duty as a Special Firearms Officer in August 2026. His best friend since schooldays, Daragh, completed the Great North Run with his number and bib. For the final event of the series, the Kielder Half Marathon, as a member of Matthew’s wider family, I am honoured to take part and carry his number and bib over the final finishing line.
Please support Parkinson’s UK either by donating to this page or to Matthew’s, which you can find at https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraisers/matthewblades.
Parkinson’s is a complex brain condition that has no cure and gets worse over time and it is on the rise. Someone is diagnosed every 20 minutes in the UK today. By 2050, the number of people with Parkinson’s worldwide will double to 25 million.
Parkinson’s UK is the charity that’s here to support every Parkinson’s journey, every step of the way. Wherever you’re from, whatever you need.
From searching for a cure and campaigning for better health and care, to funding research into groundbreaking new treatments and running life-changing support services. It’s all driven by one mission: improving life with Parkinson’s.
Thank you to my sponsors
£10
Ceri
£20
Diane
Well done Ben!
£10
William Sadler
Great effort Ben. Well done you 👏👏👏
£23.45
Malcolm Carr
Best wishes for a worthy cause
£55.88
Pete Lomas
Well done - I cannot manage running for a train!
£33.83
Nathaniel
A hugely inspiring cause - and superb run-time on that hard course. Thank you for the inspiration.
£20
Chris Day
Well done you, you’ll need the training to survive Patagonia xx
£20
Tim Barlow
Well done Ben. Top effort!
£10
Stuart Criddle
Well done Ben, a fine cause.
£55.88
Melanie Richard And Isabelle
Best of luck Melanie . Richard and Isabelle
£55.88
Sioned Terry
Well done, Ben! Great job 🎉🎉
£23.45
Russell
Well done Ben!
£12.25
Anonymous
Thinking about your family Matthew and Tom people with Parkinson’s and all the police officers who keep us safe on Teeside we are so proud of you .
£12.25
Chantel Hilder
Good luck!
£25
Tom
Good luck tomorrow Ben!!
£100
Gwyn
Good luck Ben! So proud of you.
£20
Garry Williams
A brilliant tribute to a true hero. I know you will smash it. Best off luck. I lnow Matthew will be with you all the way
£12.25
Neil Blackshaw
Good Luck !
£20
Kate Foxton
Good luck Ben!
£10
Jo-anne Anglesea
Good luck Ben , an amazing thing to do !
£17.89
Lottie Wade
Good Luck!
£10
Rebecca Harburn
Good luck
£55.88
Rodney Hehenberger
Go, Ben!
£8
Anonymous
£23.45
Kathleen Richards
What a wonderful thing to do, all the very best. Xxx
£109.25
Gavin Comer
This is on behalf of Rhiain, she is an amazing person to work with, so surely her dad is just as amazing as well. This family is so amazing!
£10
Victoria Carr-duffy
£23.45
Amy Todd
What an amazing challenge to take on. Best of luck for the weekend!
£12.25
Tracy Lynd
Good luck 🍀
£10
Julie Gibson
£33.83
Ian Dowding
Well done you! You'll smash it!
£170
Anonymous
£12.25
Megan Rendle
Best of luck to you! You will smash it. Lots of love x
£100
Mandy And Peter Kitching
Good luck Rueben
£33.83
Del
All the best Reuben.
£109.25
Lynn Dowding
Good luck little brother. Truly awesome. Xx
£23.45
Frank Keith Edgeley
Good Luck Ben from Dot and Keith x
£20
Liz Brownbill
Good Luck Mark and Liz x
£20
Lolli
Best of luck Ben!
£10
Scarlet Smith
Well done Ben!!
£23.45
Jacki And Gary Rendle
Very Well done Ben from Gary and Jacki Proving lots of life in us old dogs! Proud of you! XxxX
£20
Michele & Mike & Henry
Hats off to you Ben. I couldn’t do it 😬😂😘
£23.45
Sara Price-cozens
Good luck!! 💙
£109.25
Graham Wilson
So impressed with what you were doing I think it’s amazing best of luck. See you for a beer afterwards.
£55.88
Sally Kitching
Good luck Reuben from Auntie Sally
£109.25
The Blades Family
Thank you for your support The Blades Family
£55.88
Janet Wade
Good luck! I’m sure you will smash the run!
£33.83
Becky Averill
Good luck Rueben!
£20
Tony
Good luck
£50
Rhiain Dowding
Good luck Dad! You’ve got this!
Well Done!