Helen Harms from Smethwick, West Midlands, is running her first ever marathon this year to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK.
She will be taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday 23 April. A secondary school teacher, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020, just before the first lockdown, and said that the charity was very important in helping her come to terms with her condition.
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 40 symptoms, from tremor to pain to anxiety. When Helen, 59, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, her consultant told her that being active for 2.5 hours a week can help manage Parkinson’s symptoms and has a positive impact both physically and mentally.
Helen said: “When I was diagnosed with the condition, I was scared. Scared about what the future would bring and how the condition would develop over time. I’ve always been determined, so when I was told I needed to stay active to help live with the condition, I did just that.
“I completed the Couch to 5k programme, then ran a 10k, and kept going from there, and now I’m training for my first full marathon. Before I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I never thought of myself as a runner. But now I really enjoy it and it has such a positive impact on my mental and physical health. I’d like to thank my friends, family, and church for giving me the strength and courage to take on this challenge.”
Helen has set herself a fundraising target of raising £2,100 for Parkinson’s UK, the largest charitable funder of Parkinson’s research in Europe, leading the way to better treatments and a cure. She continued: “When I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s, the resources on the Parkinson’s UK website really helped me learn more about and accept my diagnosis. It’s important to me to fundraise and raise awareness for the charity to support others living with the condition, and hopefully, one day, help them find a cure.”
Paul Jackson-Clark, Director of Fundraising & Experience at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are so grateful to Helen for taking on this incredible challenge for Parkinson’s UK.
“With more than 40 potential symptoms, Parkinson’s can devastate lives. We’ve made huge breakthroughs in the last 50 years, but there is still no cure and current treatments are not good enough. This year, 200 runners will be running the London Marathon to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK, and if Helen has inspired you, you can register your interest to run the London Marathon 2024 for Parkinson’s UK!"
