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Special Parkrun to honour mum with Parkinson's

Sarah Edgeworth Sarah Edgeworth is perched on the edge of a chair. She has long brown hair, glasses and is wearing a floral top. She is next to her mum Sue, who is sitting on the chair and smiling. She has short brown hair and is wearing a blue top.Sarah Edgeworth
Sarah Edgeworth (right) with her mum Sue, who has Parkinson's disease

A woman whose mother has Parkinson's is bringing her community together for a special 5km run on World Parkinson's Day.

Sarah Edgeworth from Longlevens, Gloucester, organised the takeover at the weekly Pittville Park Parkrun in Cheltenham to raise money for Parkinson's UK.

She was inspired by her mother Sue Duckworth, who has been living with Parkinson's for more than 30 years.

"Having Parkinson's means my mum lives life at a slower pace," said Edgeworth. "But it's also opened up new opportunities for her. She now writes poetry and enjoys art, particularly watercolour and pastel painting."

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Duckworth was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder, in her early 40s.

She regularly attends her local community hub at a hospice in Leckhampton, where she spends time painting and connecting with others.

Like many people living with Parkinson's, she has slower speech and movement, which can make long walks and group conversations more challenging.

Despite this, Edgeworth said her mum has spent many years giving back to the community that has supported her.

Sarah Edgeworth Sarah Edgeworth wearing a black hooded raincoat and black rectangular glasses, with her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail with a middle part. She is smiling for a selfie next to her mum Sue, who is wearing a coral jacket, a red scarf and rectangular sunglasses.Sarah Edgeworth
Edgeworth said her mother's condition has "opened up new opportunities" for her

"When my mum was first diagnosed, she received so much support from Parkinson's UK groups locally and from the charity's helpline," explained Edgeworth.

"Because of that, she wanted to give something back. She went on to serve on committees both locally and nationally, and my dad Gerry Duckworth was also involved."

Edgeworth hopes Saturday's run will help raise awareness of the disease and highlight the importance of support networks.

Ruth Wright, a local community fundraiser for Parkinson's UK, said the currently incurable disease affects 166,000 people in the UK, presenting more than 40 symptoms, from tremors and pain to anxiety.

She said: "Events like this not only raise vital funds for research and support services, but also bring people together to show those living with Parkinson's that they are not alone."

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