Victoria Smith

Doing it for Dad

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! I’m taking part in the 2027 TCS London Marathon for Parkinson’s UK on Sunday 25 April and would really appreciate your support! 

I last ran the London marathon in 2019 and vowed never again! In 2019 I was lucky enough to get golden tickets for Mum and Dad to be in the bandstand on The Mall to watch me cross the finish line, which won’t be the case this time.

Unfortunately, my lovely Dad, big Jim, Mr P, Jimbo passed away in February 2026 after 22 years battling this horrible disease.

I want to raise awareness and raise money for a treatment / cure so that other families don't have to go through what Dad, and us as a family, did. He valiantly fought Parkinson's to the bitter end - after coming home from hospital we thought he would be with us a few days, but he spent 3 weeks not giving up. If he can suffer for 22 years with Parkinson's then I can put myself through another marathon in his honour, even though I am 8 years older than the first time!

I miss him every day and can hear his words of wisdom in my ear when I am out running "you've got legs use them!" 

I'll use these legs for you Dad, for all the other Parkinson's sufferers and for the hope for a cure one day.

Please sponsor me to spur me on during those cold, dark winter months of training!