GP's Marathon effort for mum

Theshanka Amarasinghe has pledged to raise £2,000 for Parkinson’ UK, after her 63-year-old mum, Amara, also a retired doctor, was diagnosed with the disease.

Novice runner Theshanka, known as Tesh, aged 30, who works at Newport Pagnell Medical Centre, said: “I was never a sporty person but try to lead a lifestyle my patients would be proud of.

“Last year my beautiful mum was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

“This movement disorder causes her to shake constantly, and slows her down in everyday tasks.

“There’s no cure, but the medicines she got through MK Hospital have improved her speed, and let her get on with life.

“She cooks, cleans and plays with our puppy, Bandit.

“She has an incredible, positive attitude towards life and the body, and how fragile it all is.

“The medicines in Parkinson’s disease tend to stop working after several years.

“The eventual side effects of the medicines are, ironically, abnormal movements, so the drugs are certainly not perfected yet.

“Inspired by her, I managed to get a Golden Bonds place in the London Marathon this year. This is a big source of funding for the charity. “

Tesh, who was born and brought up in Neath Hill, added: “One in 500 people in the UK have Parkinson’s.

“I’ve worked with several patients in Milton Keynes with the illness over the years.

“All of them struggle with it, but many have found ways to be inspirational with it – living as energetically as they can with whatever mobility they have.

“Every penny raised will go towards research into better medicines and care for people with Parkinson’s disease.”

To support Tesh, see http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TheshankaAmarasinghe