Story
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">We have optimistically, but with some apprehension, signed ourselves up for a Sprint Triathlon at Dorney Lake, Eton on Saturday 2<sup>nd</sup> July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This involves a 400m swim in the lake, followed by 20kms on a bike, topped off with a 5km run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our primary aim to complete, but, if training goes really well, maybe we won’t be the last over the line!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">We are fund raising in memory of John Leaver (my father, Francesca’s father-in-law), who died 2 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had suffered from Parkinsons disease for over 12 years and therefore our chosen charity is <span style="color: #0000ff;">Parkinsons U.K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>We feel that we would like to help this charity in both its search for a cure and for all the support it provides sufferers, their carers and families.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Parkinsons is a progressive neurological condition which affects 1 in 500 people in the U.K., most of whom are over 50 yrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, 1 in 20 sufferers are young.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The brain of a Parkinsons sufferer gradually stops producing dopamine causing a loss of nerve cells and therefore the ability to send messages to parts of the body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The resulting physical symptoms are slowness of movement, tremor and stiffness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other associated issues which make everyday life increasingly difficult are: pain, anxiety, depression and extreme tiredness.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Symptoms of the disease can be controlled, or at least eased, with the use of dopamine replacement drugs, but there is currently no cure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Research funded by Parkinsons U.K. is making great strides in revealing vital clues as to the causes, and is pioneering new innovative ways of tackling this horrible disease.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">If you would like to join us in supporting this very worthwhile charity, we would be extremely grateful if you felt able to sponsor us in our Triathlon challenge.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">With love,</span></p>
<p>Iona and Francesca x</p>