Help Me Raise €4,000 for The Parkinson’s Foundation

This October, I’ll be taking on the Dublin City Marathon, with my dad’s help along the way, to raise money for The Parkinson’s Foundation, a cause that is incredibly close to my heart.

My dad has been living with Parkinson’s since he was diagnosed in 2020. Watching someone you love live with Parkinson’s has given me a completely different understanding of the condition.

As the 2026 Leitrim Rose, I’ve been incredibly lucky to have been given a platform and so much support from my community this year. I wanted to use that platform to give something back and raise awareness and funds for a cause that means so much to our family.

Parkinson’s is a progressive, neurological condition that affects the brain and movement. Common symptoms include involuntary tremors, stiffness, a masked expression, slowed movement and difficulties with walking and balance. However, Parkinson’s can also cause less visible symptoms including changes in speech and swallowing, pain, and changes in mood and thinking, fatigue and sleep difficulties.

There are now more than 18,000 people living with Parkinson’s in Ireland, and that number is expected to double by 2050. Parkinson’s Ireland describes Parkinson’s as the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, with the global

prevalence having doubled over the previous 25 years.

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, although medication, rehabilitation and other treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

I’m hoping to raise €4,000 to support Parkinson’s related research, awareness and services that The Parkinson’s Foundation facilitate and carry out and support for people living with the condition and their families.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference. If you can’t donate, simply sharing this page and helping us spread awareness would mean so much to me.

Thank you so much for supporting me, my dad and everyone living with Parkinson’s ❤️

Catherine x