A Lancaster man is preparing to take part in the Manchester Half Marathon in honour of his parents and in support of Parkinson’s UK’s Nurse Appeal.
Patrick Corbett chose to take up the challenge after a “hard last year” that saw his mum, Linda, moved into a care home, and his dad, Peter who cared for her, pass away soon after from a stroke and late-stage pancreatic cancer.
Although Patrick used to run half marathons and longer distances regularly, he had not run consistently in five years. When he first went to register for the marathon, general entries were officially sold out.
Patrick said: “Just 30 seconds after searching for the event and seeing it was sold out, a Facebook ad popped up offering a Parkinson’s UK charity place. I took it as a sign that it was meant to be.
"It’s been fun to get back into running. It’s not going to be easy on the day, but knowing how I used to be able to run a lot quicker, I think it’ll be a good experience and a bit emotional as well.”
With eight weeks until race day, Patrick generated an eight-week, three-day-a-week training plan using AI. The schedule consists of two shorter weekday runs and a long Sunday run, adding one mile each week.
Patrick added: “My dad cared for my mum until he could no longer safely do so at home, before we had to make the difficult decision to move her into a residential care home in December last year.
‘’My mum’s been living with Parkinson’s for over five years and still receives visits from a local specialist Parkinson’s nurse at the home. Before her move, she would also regularly attend Parkinson’s support groups.
“Running the Manchester half marathon for Parkinson’s UK Nurse Appeal feels like a suitable way to process my emotions from that difficult time while helping others by raising money to fund specialised support for others living with the condition.”
Parkinson's is a complex brain condition that gets worse over time. Affecting 166,000 people in the UK, it has more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety, and there is currently no cure.
Paul Jackson-Clark, Director of Fundraising & Experience at Parkinson’s UK, said: “It’s inspiring to have people like Patrick running the Manchester Half Marathon to help raise money for Parkinson’s Nurse Appeal.
‘’The UK’s Parkinson’s specialist nurses workforce would simply not exist as it does today without the millions of pounds Parkinson’s UK and its supporters have put into it.
“Every penny raised will help us ensure that the right care and support is available to every person with Parkinson’s. Together, we can fund great care, for every Parkinson’s journey.”
For information and support, visit parkinsons.org.uk or call the charity’s free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303.
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