A fun run at the University of Birmingham raised over £7,000 bringing the annual event’s overall fundraising total to £87,000. This was the fifth year that Bud’s Run has taken place and it supports charity Parkinson’s UK’s pioneering research to find a cure for the condition.
More than 400 runners took part in the 5km race on the day which also included a 2km run for under 11s. Bud’s Run is the brainchild of former UK Athletics Marathon Coach Bud Baldaro, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009, and has been based at the University for over a decade.
Speaking after the event, Bud said: “I have been overwhelmed by all the hard work from so many people to make this event a success. There was fantastic support from the Birmingham University runners and from all the families involved, from tiny tots to grannies and grandpas! It was a truly joyful occasion with so many coming together to increase awareness of Parkinson’s and raise money for Parkinson’s UK. It was a telling indictment that although I have Parkinson’s, it hasn’t got me! Thank you to everyone.”
Bud’s Run is a popular event, with previous runs attracting athletics stars such as world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe, middle distance legend Steve Cram, and Olympian Sara Treacy. The event was supported once again by 1500m World Championship Silver Medallist Hannah England.
Parkinson’s UK is the leading charity driving better care, treatments and quality of life for those with the condition. Its mission is to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson's through cutting edge research, information, support and campaigning.
Gayle Kelly, Regional Fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK in the West Midlands, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who took part and volunteered to make it such a fantastic day. A special thanks to our event sponsors University of Birmingham Sport, Go Faster Food, Up and Running, Running Imp, and Waitrose for their support.”
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition for which there is currently no cure and it affects 145,000 people in the UK including 121,927 in England.
Parkinson’s UK estimate that there are more than 40 symptoms of the condition. As well as the most widely known symptom - tremor - these range from physical symptoms like muscle stiffness to depression, anxiety, hallucinations, memory problems and dementia, but Parkinson’s affects everyone differently.
