8 years ago my granddad died. He died of old age. In the latter years of his life he suffered with Parkinson's. 

When I was a small boy I remember him fondly as someone who always "did stuff". He would fix the unfixable, build things with incredible detail, he would help me build the latest "invention" that I had in my head and bring it to reality for me. He was a humble and caring man, never seeking attention and quick to calm an argument with a soft word. 

As I grew up I had less things for him to fix but he continued to be creative and loved to write stories. As his Parkinson's took hold it gradually stopped him doing the things he loved. He never gave up!  But I could see in him the pain of not being able to physically do the things he loved so much.

The years have moved on and now I'm all growed up :) I am a man that acts and recently met a former UK Kick Boxing champion.  He taught me how to box, taught me the skills to look good and also how to look "right" on film. His passion and commitment were extraordinary.  He was diagnosed with Parkinson's before he was 40.

I know that he tires so easily now, he instructs rather than participates, he asks for no sympathy he just "does". I was humbled by the respect the children show him, felt first hand the power and skill of the boxers he's trained and I just thought of what Parkinson's has taken from him and so many other people and left them trapped in a body that they struggle to control. But he is far from down and out, he is positive and active and rarely shows the frustration he feels.  Mark campaigns for Parkinson's awareness and his web site and story can be found here

I know my grandad wouldn't want my sympathy, he would want me to go out and "do". 

I'm running to find a cure for Parkinson's.

Please donate to this cause, I know there are so many good causes but this is mine, for Granddad.