Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Family’s amazing feet as they run marathon for dad
Daughter tells of bid to raise Parkinson’s cash
A WOMAN left stunned after her dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at just 45 has assembled 20 people to run the Belfast Marathon for charity.
Becky Barton, from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, has vowed she “will not stop until there’s a cure” for the condition. So she has pulled together pals and family members, including her 68-year-old grandfather, to take part in the race in an effort to raise money for vital research. The 26-year-old said her team’s efforts are to “get as much awareness as possible” of the condition and of the need for a cure by raising money for Parkinson’s UK. Becky was travelling in Australia when her father Niall received the shock diagnosis. She said: “Parkinson’s UK has been a huge support to my father and when I returned I just wanted to get the ball rolling raising awareness of their work and of the condition itself. “The charity has a great support network but is also pushing for more research into a cure. “There have been no advances in medication over the past half a century and we won’t wait any longer to push for a breakthrough.” The family have already raised more than £3,000 but they feel bringing together a team of 20 to run the Belfast Marathon is a good way to raise more. Becky added: “This is a huge challenge for all of us, as many of us have never run before. “Just like Parkinson’s was something new, so is this. However, it is a group effort – if we can come through a Parkinson’s diagnosis together, I am sure we can come through a marathon. “Having 20 runners backing our family means we have been able to put in four separate teams for the marathon. “Those are four separate teams which will not stop until the finish lines – both in terms of the marathon itself and in terms of the quest for a cure.” Niall, now 46, continues to work full time as a joiner while hoping a cure is discovered. He said: “I am apprehensive about the future, particularly about not knowing how difficult it is going to be. Getting a cure would mean so much more than winning the lottery for my family.” For details on fundraising visit www.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraise.