Sarah’s marathon effort for Parkinson’s research
Sarah Frow has been nominated for a Kent Mental Wellbeing award after raising a staggering £40k for the Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy at the University of Kent.
She achieved this by undertaking a sponsored run along the Pilgrim’s Way from Winchester Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral. Sarah was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD) three years ago at the age of 44. Incredibly, she ran over 150 miles in 6 days.
Sarah Frow is a fitness instructor and personal trainer at the Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy, and she chose to raise money for the centre so that it could continue its vital work in exercise therapy for people with a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Her mantra ‘exercise is medicine’ has inspired members to use exercise to manage the disease and its effects on the body. She runs different fitness classes which support people with differing levels of need, and is innovative in her approach, making sure the classes are always inclusive and fulffilling. The members of the group tell her that she has helped to transform their lives due to both the mentally and physically stimulating nature of the classes, which also help to promote functional independence and social engagement.
One nominator said, “She is a beacon of hope support and motivation to our 200 members, imploring them to lead richer, fuller lives.”
Sarah has to manage the complexities of her condition alongside her work and her two children, which is no easy feat. She suffers mainly from tremors, slow movement, balance problems and stiff muscles but there are also other symptoms that people do not usually associate with the disease such as depression and anxiety, sleep problems, fatigue, and bowel and bladder problems.
Another nominator said, “Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease presents a range of challenges which affect Sarah’s daily life, not only impacting on herself but also her husband and two young sons. Despite these challenges she remains positive and is always willing to help others. She is such an amazing role model and I am now proud to call her a friend, not just a colleague.”
Sarah’s fundraising campaign gained some attention when she appeared on BBC South East Today and carried out numerous radio interviews following a record breaking fundraising record for challenge events at the University of Kent.
The Kent Mental Wellbeing awards is an annual event designed to showcase the people, organisations and initiatives that help us cope with life. The event’s three themes are: kindness and compassion; wellbeing; mental health.
Whether it is in school, business, community or family, so many of us have been lucky to have people and organisations with ideas, tips and tactics to help us cope. It is time to celebrate those mental health and well-being champions in our community and share this best practice.
The awards will be staged in October by the mental health charity Mind in Bexley and East Kent in collaboration with a range of wellbeing and mental health organisations.
Nominations can be linked to a simple act of kindness that lifted the spirits, a business that has improved staff wellbeing, through to a targeted initiative delivered by a charity or statutory organisation to support a mental health issue.
The event is sponsored by Kent County Council, Kent Community Foundation, ADM Computing, GrainLNG – National Grid, Medway Council, Optyma Security, Wave Community Bank, Cactus Graphics and CommunityAid.
Submit nominations at www.kentmentalwellbeingawards.org.uk For awards news follow @KentMWAwards on Facebook and X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
