The Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy (PCIT) is celebrating an incredible feat by one of their own. Sarah Frow, a fitness instructor at the Centre who lives with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease, has just completed the Pilgrims’ Way Challenge – a running event of six marathons in six days!
Through this grueling challenge, covering over 150 miles along the historic Pilgrims’ Way from Winchester to Canterbury, Sarah and her friend Steve Howard, have raised a staggering £25,307 (plus an additional £3,553 in Gift Aid) for PCIT so far. This incredible sum of £28,860 will fund a year’s worth of exercise classes at the centre, making a vital difference for its members. Staying active is crucial in managing Parkinson’s symptoms and Sarah’s dedication to this challenge highlights the importance of exercise in this fight.
On the final day Sarah and Steve were joined by University of Kent alumnus, Matthew Bailey, Lou, Emma, Kalpee (Steve’s wife) and even a canine mascot, Arya! Setting off from Charing, they faced their final 32km leg, finishing at the iconic Canterbury Cathedral – a total of 246km from their starting point at Winchester Cathedral.
Cheered on by friends, family and PCIT members, Sarah and her team crossed the finish line to a heroes’ welcome. Each runner received a medal and Sarah was presented with a special trophy for her remarkable achievement. The team and their supporters then celebrated with well-deserved bubbly!
A message of hope and gratitude
Sarah’s message following this incredible journey is one of immense gratitude and inspiration:
“This trophy is for everyone who supported me,” she shared. “You’re my forever friends, running buddies, and all round amazing human beings! The generosity of donations has blown me away – we’ve raised so much for PCIT. Huge respect to my wingman, Steve, and the top-notch crew of Mike, George, and Cam – it wasn’t an easy feat!”
Reflecting on her experience, Sarah emphasises the importance of staying active and positive when living with Parkinson’s.
“I’m so grateful my body held up,” she says. “This challenge proves that Parkinson’s can be tackled with an athlete’s mindset. I choose not to be defined by this disease and I hope this accomplishment shows others, especially those newly diagnosed, that life doesn’t end with Parkinson’s. Exercise is key and surrounding yourself with friends is vital for the soul. Find what you love, keep training your body and mind, and don’t wait for symptoms – be proactive!”
A huge thank you
The PCIT community extends their deepest gratitude to Sarah, Steve, all the support runners and the incredible behind-the-scenes crew. Their dedication, perseverance and willingness to push their limits will make a real difference in the lives of countless people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Sarah’s story is a powerful reminder that with determination, support and a positive attitude, we can all achieve great things, even in the face of adversity.
Donate to Sarah’s fundraising page.
