First diagnosed in 2018, Russell will run from London to Barcelona in less than five weeks to raise funds for the illness, aiming to get to the Catalan city on 4 July, in time for the World Parkinson’s Congress.
“I want people to know that being diagnosed with Parkinson’s doesn’t have to be the end of the world,” the Bourton-on-the-Water native said on Wednesday (19 April).
“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.”
Russell will begin his epic feat on 25 May, setting off from Mayfair to Portsmouth before taking the ferry to Caen. Supported by his family, who will follow him via van, Russell will then run through France and across the Pyrenees before heading south towards Barcelona.
The 65-year-old, who last year ran from Scotland to Cornwall for charity, is aiming to raise £50,000 to donate to Parkinson’s UK and Cure Parkinson’s.
“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,” he added.
Parkinson’s has become the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, currently affecting around 145,000 people in the UK and more than 10 million around the world.
At the moment there is no cure for it.
Imagine Cruising chief executive Robin Deller said Russell was an inspiration for many. “Regardless of his diagnosis, he still gets up and runs. Not just for himself but for others, and to help find a cure for Parkinson’s – he’s an inspiration to us all,” Deller added. “This is why we’re so excited and proud to support him.”
