Team Laraine - Running for MNDA - Great North Run 2022

By Howard Park

Many years ago on an October morning in Ceylon I was born; I had no idea that exactly one year later my wife and soulmate to be, Laraine, would be born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. To cut a long story short, fate brought us together in London in the swinging 60s. For me it was love at first sight for the most beautiful girl I had ever clapped eyes on.

I worked hard to persuade her to marry me... As my children like to remind me, I was punching above my weight! Laraine was a talented singer & actress but became an inspirational teacher and above all else, was a wonderful mother,  now dreadfully missed by me, our two daughters and our grandchildren. She was the heart of our family. The love of my life. 

We were married for 46 years before Motor Neurone Disease took her away; we were living in France, and over a year, little by little Laraine became weaker, losing weight and having difficulty in swallowing; despite a never-ending raft of tests & hospital visits, the cause of her debilitation was not diagnosed until near the end when she lost her mobility, her speech, and even eye movement, but mercifully she did not suffer the long lingering deterioration in life quality that so many Motor Neurone sufferers have to endure.

Laraine was the kindest, most optimistic, most positive and most loving  person you could ever wish to meet - raising funds for MNDA is a small way in which I can repay & celebrate the wonderful life she gave me.

Our Team

Our eldest daughter, Charlotte, has run a few GNRs, along with her best friend Sophie Pike, who together, have already raised several thousand pounds for MNDA. They will be doing it once more and hope to be in under 2 hours 40.

Then there’s me, Howard Park: I am the least sporty person ever and this will be my first GNR at the tender age of 73 - in fact it will be the first time I have run anything since school; not that I will running - I shall be walking, every step in memory of my beautiful wife.

Helping me hobble along will be Sophie’s mother, Jane, who after cheering the girls on over the last few years - has decided to take the plunge too! Together - we are Team Laraine - Running for MNDA - on the streets of Laraine's beloved home city of Newcastle Upon Tyne. 

We will all be so grateful for your support and donations to MNDA.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.