Thanks for visiting our fundraising page.  We're Tina Searle and Yvonne Jones - sisters united - we ran the London Marathon on 26 April 2009 in memory of our mum and dad, Harry and Anita Searle, in support of Parkinson's Disease Society.

We've done it!  Both got round, just about in one piece and in a strange way enjoyed it.  We're feeling very, very pleased with our selves and know our mum and dad would be very proud of us.  They were great athletics fans and don't think they ever thought both their daughters would run marathons!  Mum used to say certainly wasn't in the genes.  This one poignant for us as despite the 12 marathons we've now done between us this is the first we've both run in. 

For both our pace was slower than expected - Tina 4h 58 min, Yvonne 5h 19m - the day was a tad too hot for marathon running, but hey, we did it!

Massive thank you to all those who have donated to our effort - as you can see we have exceeded our fundraising target.  However, its not too late to give.  This webpage will be live till July and it would be good to raise as much as we can to help the very much needed research into Parkinson's disease which PDS funds.

Our family has been greatly affected by Parkinson's disease and a parkinsonia related condition, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), over many years.  We are particularly keen to support research into these debilitating conditions in the hope that in the future those afflicted can be cured and not suffer as those close to us have.

As a family we have lived with Parkinson's disease for over 18 years, since our father was first diagnosed at about the time he retired.  Sadly our father died recently at the end of October 2008 on the day PDS offered Tina a Gold Bond place for the London Marathon in 2009.  He had late stage Parkinson's and advanced dementia.  Our mother, who had been our father's full-time carer, was diagnosed with PSP in February 2008 and had sadly died a few months later in May.

As we are both keen runners and have run numerous marathons over a number of years it seemed entirely appropriate to run London in 2009 for our mum and dad in support of PDS.  Yvonne had secured a ballot place and Tina applied to PDS and was offerd a Gold Bond place.  A pledge to raise a minimum of £1700 for the Gold Bond place had been given but we knew between us we could raise much more. 

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to support us: Parkinson's Disease Society gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please make a donation now to support our efforts!