Two Newquay brothers have been inspired to take on a 100 mile charity run in memory of their grandfather.
Stephen and Luke Stone plan to run along the coast path from Lands’ End to Padstow in May to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s UK.
The brothers are keen to support the cause as their grandfather William Doran passed away last year after a fall related to his battle with Parkinson’s.
Stephen and Luke are using the grit and determine their grandfather showed in his final moments as an inspiration.
Luke said: “Our grandad is a true inspiration for this event.
“After struggling in hospital barely eating or drinking anything for four weeks, he was discharged so that he could pass away at home.
“With pneumonia in both lungs he struggled and laboured every breath and we did not expect him to last long.
“But this man had different ideas.
“He lasted four days.
“Barely breathing, on zero food and zero fluid, he refused to give up! Along with his never quit spirit, our grandad was always a positive person.
“He wasn’t always the most talkative but when he did speak it was normally to make people laugh and smile!
“If we have been gifted with just a fraction of this man’s genes, with his positive attitude and never quit spirit, we will get through this run.
“There is not enough awareness around Parkinson’s. It normally takes five to 10 years to receive diagnosis from when you first visit the GP with symptoms.
“The treatment at the moment will only slow the onset of Parkinson’s, so perhaps if our grandad was diagnosed sooner or if there were better treatments available, we would have been able to share one more conversation or even just one more smile.”
Stephen and Luke have been training hard to take on the run.
Luke said: “I’m excited and nervous maybe a little apprehensive about the run as that’s a pretty unimaginable distance right now but I think with all these things that’s the perfect mix of emotions.
“The grit and determination our grandad showed in his final moments are the inspiration for this event and if we have been gifted with just a fraction of his spirit, we will get through the 100miles.”
Stephen and Luke hope to raise £500 and are half way there already.
Anyone who would like to make a donation can visit www.justgiving.com/page/stone100