Running the London Marathon for Parkinson’s UK

Marlborough resident, Kevin Hicks, will be taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday 23 April to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK.  Kevin, a retired toolmaker, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2021. So far Kevin has raised more than £5K and hopes to raise even more funds. If you would like to sponsor Kevin please click here.

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and every hour two more people are diagnosed. There are over 40 symptoms, from tremor to pain to anxiety.

In 2016, Kevin, now 60, developed a tremor in his right hand, after seeing his GP he was diagnosed with a functional tremor. Over the next few years, Kevin’s tremor got worse and he developed a stiffness down his right side of his body.

Kevin said, “In 2021, I finally went back to the GP, they referred me to a neurologist to investigate what was going on. As soon as my neurologist looked at me, he said he knew I had Parkinson’s due to how I was walking. Since my diagnosis, I’ve been determined to keep active. I go on regular runs and I’ve completed a half marathon but this will by far be my hardest challenge to date.”

Kevin started running in 2015 when his wife joined a running club. They both regularly run with Marlborough’s Park Run on the Common. Kevin told Marlborough.news, “We have both got fitter and fitter. There’s nothing like getting out in the open air running with a group of friends. It’s just good fun and good exercise for the body and mind. My consultant told me that keeping fit by running is just as important for managing Parkinson’s as the medication I take.”

Paul Jackson-Clark, Director of Fundraising & Experience at Parkinson’s UK, said, “We are so grateful to Kevin for taking on this incredible challenge for Parkinson’s UK.  With more than 40 potential symptoms, Parkinson’s can devastate lives. We’ve made huge breakthroughs in the last 50 years, but there is still no cure and current treatments are not good enough. This year, 200 runners will be running the London Marathon to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK, and if Kevin has inspired you, you can register your interest to run the London Marathon 2024 for Parkinson’s UK!”

Running buddy, Katherine Price, is training with Kevin and will be also be running the London Marathon and helping to raise funds. Kevin said, “The London Marathon is iconic and I’m really looking forward to taking part. My training is going well and every time I run I feel like I am gaining some victory over Parkinson’s.”