‘This Is for My Granda’ - Ballymoney woman Jenny Parkhill Runs 100K for Dementia UK

In February, Ballymoney’s Jennifer Parkhill will lace up her running shoes for an inspiring mission - to run 100 kilometres in 28 days to raise funds for Dementia UK. 

The cause is close to her heart, as Jenny is running in honour of her late Granda William Kirkpatrick, who passed away just a few months ago after battling dementia.

By day, Jenny, who will be 37 next month, is a familiar face to residents of Harpur’s Hill and Lower Newmills in Coleraine, delivering letters and parcels on her Royal Mail route. 

But this February, she’s delivering something much bigger - awareness, hope, and support for families navigating the challenges of dementia.

For Jenny, this challenge is about more than just fundraising. It’s a personal tribute to her Granda, a man she describes as “fit, active, and full of life.” 

She remembers him fondly: “He worked hard all his life on the farm, always busy, always on the go. Even in his later years, he’d potter about and keep himself active.”

But when William was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 80, everything changed. 

“It’s not just memory loss - it’s so much more than that,” Jenny explains. 

“We saw him struggle with his movement, he had difficulty eating and drinking, and his behaviour completely changed. It was heartbreaking to see someone who was once so independent lose that part of themselves.”

Jenny describes how the family came together to support him, alongside carers who helped manage his condition. 

“It was really tough on all of us, but we were determined to do whatever we could to make him feel comfortable and loved,” she says. “That’s why this challenge means so much to me - it’s my way of giving back to families going through the same thing.”

Jenny discovered the 100K challenge while scrolling through Facebook, and it immediately resonated. 

“When I read that just £8 could provide vital support to a family affected by dementia, I thought, ‘This is something I can do,’” she recalls. “Each day this disease is robbing you of someone you love. Running 100K is nothing compared to what families like mine go through every day.”

Jenny has set a goal of running at least 5K every day throughout February and will be joined by supportive friends and family members. 

“They’ve always encouraged me with all my charity challenges,” she says. And there have been plenty of those - Jenny’s impressive fundraising feats include marathons, half marathons, white-collar boxing events, and last year’s Macmillan Mighty Hike.

Her target for this challenge is £250, though she hopes to raise even more. 

“Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference,” she says. “Charities like Dementia UK don’t just help the person with the condition - they support the whole family with practical advice, emotional care, and understanding. That’s something you can’t put a price on.”

For Jenny, running is not only a physical challenge but also a way of honouring her Granda William’s memory. 

“He was such a big part of my life, and I know he’d be proud of what I’m doing. It’s my way of making sure other families don’t feel like they’re going through this alone.”

To support Jenny’s incredible journey and donate to her 100K challenge, visit her fundraising page: Jenny’s 100K Challenge.

As Jenny puts it, “This isn’t just for Granda - it’s for everyone who’s been affected by dementia. Together, we can make a difference.”