A BASINGSTOKE dad who has Parkinson’s was given a hero's welcome when he completed an epic 10 marathons in 10 days, raising more than £21,000 for a charity close to his heart.

After cycling 569 miles in seven days from Hadrian’s Wall to Hastings, instead of having a well-deserved rest, Gary Shaughnessy then went on to run an incredible 260 miles in 10 days.

The father-of-three, who lives in Tadley, has raised more than £21,000 for Parkinson’s UK and other charities, pushing his total fundraising efforts to more than £500,000 in nine years.

READ MORE: Director fell asleep at wheel driving 600 miles to care for fail parents

(Image: Gary Shaughnessy) Gary, 58, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014 and is now chair of trustees for Parkinson’s UK, was awarded a CBE for his services to business and charity in the King’s first Birthday Honours List.

Speaking to the Gazette after completing his latest challenge on Sunday, June 16 at the Hampshire Hoppit in Kingsclere, Gary said: “It was shattering, I was really tired by the end of it but it was so joyous. Everyone has been so generous and supportive and it really shows the positive side of people.”

He added: “My legs were really screaming by the end but I felt so proud. My son Daniel ran the last one with me and Tadley Runners were all there supporting me. It was quite emotional.”

The dad, who used to be chief executive of Zurich’s business in Europe and now chairs the board of the Z Zurich Foundation, was delivered a blow at the start of his marathon mission on June 7 when he tested positive for Covid-19.

However, he was determined to complete his challenge and instead did the first run as a virtual marathon.

He went on to complete nine other runs at various locations including in Baughurst, Aldermaston and Lake Zurich in Switzerland before finishing in Kingsclere.

Gary said fundraising and exercise help him feel more in control of Parkinson’s, which causes him to have a tremor and sleep problems.

SEE ALSO: Parkinson's UK chair from Tadley completes epic 592-mile bike ride

“When I was diagnosed and the only conversation was that you have this condition, there’s no cure, you are going to decline, you will have medication to mask it but that’s it,” he said, adding: “But that’s not true – exercise can really make a big different and help.”

He explained how exercise helps with his symptoms, saying: “When I run I don’t feel like I have Parkinson’s. That’s not the same for everyone – it has over 40 symptoms and can make you feel very anxious, some people have sleep problems and some people have stiffness.

"For me, one of my biggest issues is my tremor and if I’m cycling I can still feel it, but it makes me feel that I’m doing something that puts me in control.”

Gary has raised more than half a million pounds for Parkinson’s UK and other charities through various fundraising challenges.

Last year he cycled from Liverpool to the Polish-Ukrainian border, won back the ‘farthest distance run three-legged in 12 hours’ Guinness World Record, cycled from Brighton to Barcelona, and ran four marathons.

He said: “I hope that my challenges and determination to keep active will encourage others living with Parkinson’s to get active, and will also encourage people to donate towards research that could lead to a cure.”

He also highlighted how awful the condition is for loved ones, paying tribute to his wife Janet who has supported him. "My wife has had to watch me deteriorate and a great thing about exercising is both of us feel we are fighting back. 

"One of the phrases we use is 'live life, love life, beat Parkinson's'."

Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. It affects around 153,000 people in the UK and every hour two more people are diagnosed.

Being active for 2.5 hours a week can help manage Parkinson’s symptoms, and has a positive impact both physically and mentally.

Gary’s year of challenges will be match-funded by the Z Zurich Foundation. To find out more or donate, visit garyschallenges.com/donate.

To find out more about fundraising for Parkinson’s UK, visit parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/do-your-own-fundraising.