A LLANDUDNO teacher has raised more than £4,000 after running the London Marathon on behalf of a charity for those with Parkinson’s.
Andrew Bohana, a maths teacher at St David’s College, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 52 in April 2021, after having suffered from tremors and tiredness for three years before an official diagnosis.
His current symptoms are tremors to his left arm, severe muscle stiffness every time he does any form of activity, loss of smell, sensory neuropathy (loss of feeling to the right leg when doing exercise) and moderate vertigo.
But this didn’t stop Mr Bohana from taking part in the London Marathon for charity Cure Parkinson’s, for whom he has so far raised £4,451 after an initial target of £2,000.
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Andrew says he struggled after 21 miles, but that running helped his condition, despite missing some steps at times.
“No idea how I did it in the end because my body completely shut down after 21 miles,” Andrew told the Pioneer.
“The bobble hat has been with me since day one and was inspired by Mike Peters from The Alarm who wears the same jacket for cancer.
“Funny how all the Londoners were shouting " are you not hot in that hat".
“The running helps my Parkinson’s but I have to be careful as I get vertigo due to the illness and did miss my step a few times.
“I took up running to prove that being diagnosed with Parkinson's does not mean you cannot continue to enjoy life.”
A St David’s College spokesperson said via social media: “Since he shared his story online it has meant the world to him that so many staff and his former pupils from over the years have sponsored him.
“We are all very, very proud of you.”
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