Amanda Palmer from Congresbury is running the London Marathon for the second year in a row to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK. 

Amanda, 49, has been an avid runner her whole life and she ran the London Marathon - her first ever marathon - last October. Amanda, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in December 2021, initially thought that running a marathon would be impossible due to the condition. 

Amanda said: “When I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I was so close to cancelling my place in the London Marathon 2022, but I have an amazing support network around me who helped me realise that a Parkinson’s diagnosis isn’t the end of the world and that this was my chance to show Parkinson’s that I was still in control."

“I really enjoyed running the marathon, and I benefit greatly from the positive impacts keeping active has on managing my symptoms and my mental and physical health. I enjoyed it so much, I signed up to run this year too!”

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and every hour two more people are diagnosed. There are over forty symptoms, from tremor to pain to anxiety.

Amanda has set herself a fundraising target of raising £2,100 for Parkinson’s UK. The charity is the largest charitable funder of Parkinson’s research in Europe, and fights for fair treatment and better services for people with the condition. It also offers support to everyone affected by Parkinson’s. 

Amanda continued:

“It’s so important for me to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s UK because I want to show people that if you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, you still have a future and do things that you enjoy. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Paul Jackson-Clark, Director of Fundraising & Experience at Parkinson’s UK, said:

“We are so grateful to Amanda for taking on this incredible challenge for Parkinson’s UK. "

“With more than forty potential symptoms, Parkinson’s can devastate lives. We’ve made huge breakthroughs in the last fifty years, but there is still no cure and current treatments are not good enough."

“This year, two hundred runners will be running the London Marathon to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK, and if Amanda has inspired you, you can register your interest to run the London Marathon 2024 for Parkinson’s UK!"

The London Marathon takes place on 23rd April. If you'd like to sponsor Amanda, click here. If you'd like to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK, click here to find out more.