A 65-YEAR-OLD man living with Parkinson's is planning to run from London to Barcelona to raise money for Parkinson’s UK and Cure Parkinson’s.

Neil Russell, from Bourton-on-the-Water, is aiming to run over 970 miles in just over five weeks.

The father-of-two was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2018 and is determined to not let the condition define him.

Last year he ran from John O’Groats to Land’s End and raised over £11,000. 

Neil said: “Through the challenge I want to show people that if you have Parkinson’s, you can still keep active and do amazing things.

“I know that not everyone can or will want to run almost 1,000 miles, but I hope to inspire at least one person to get active, whether that’s going for a brisk walk, or a short swim -  whatever you enjoy and is within your limits. 

"I want people to know that being diagnosed with Parkinson’s doesn’t have to be the end of the world.

“Yes, living with Parkinson’s means I have to watch every step I take as I am prone to falling over due to muscle stiffness and balance issues, but I won’t let it stop me.”

Neil will be setting off from Hanover Square in London on Thursday, May 25 before heading to Portsmouth.

There he before getting the ferry to Caen and running through France, over the Pyrenees, before finishing in Barcelona for the World Parkinson’s Congress on Tuesday, July 4.

His partner, Nicky, will support him in the family camper van throughout the entire challenge where Neil will sleep at night and prepare for the next day.

Neil said: "When you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s it changes you, some days you’re absolutely fine, but occasionally it gets you down.

"I hope that, as well as raising awareness of Parkinson’s, the money I raise will help fund better treatments and, hopefully one day, a cure for the condition that affects so many people.” 

Aaron Coleman, Regional Fundraiser at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are so grateful to Neil 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.

“We hope that Neil inspires others to get involved with Parkinson’s UK."

Annabel Tompkins, head of public fundraising at Cure Parkinson’s, said: “Neil is truly inspirational, not just in his determination to complete such a demanding challenge but in the way he is rallying to raise both funds and awareness of the condition."

Neil’s London to Barcelona challenge is being sponsored by Imagine Cruising. 

Imagine Cruising’s CEO Robin Deller said: “I was so inspired upon hearing about Neil’s remarkable achievement of running from John O’Groats to Lands’ End, that I had to speak to him and find out more about his next challenge - his plans to run from London to Barcelona.

"It was an honour to speak with Neil. His grit, unwavering determination and passion for life aligns so perfectly with our One Life ethos at Imagine that I knew we could help and support him."

Neil has set himself a fundraising target of £50,000.

To sponsor Neil and find out more about his challenge visit www.neilstillcan.run/london-barcelona