Logistics UK colleague runs Highland ultramarathon to raise money for Parkinson’s UK

On 7 November, Tunbridge Wells-headquartered business group Logistics UK’s Training & Learning Systems Coordinator, Mark Robertson, will be running the equivalent distance of Tunbridge Wells to Westminster, as he takes on the Dava Way ultramarathon in the Scottish Highlands, to raise money for Parkinson’s UK.

Around 166,000 people in the UK live with Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological condition, and it is predicted that 25 million people worldwide will be diagnosed by 2050¹. Mark’s mother, Maureen, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, small vessel disease and Parkinson’s and while she has beaten cancer, Parkinson’s continues to have a significant impact on her everyday life.

“It’s incredibly difficult watching someone you love go through this,” said Mark, “especially knowing there’s no cure. Despite everything she’s been through, she’s still the most amazing mum and friend I could ask for.”

300 ultramarathon runners are expected to take part in the challenge, over a  route which will see Mark cover 50 kilometres (31 miles), running through the picturesque Cairngorms National Park and ascending the Dava Summit, which stands at over 320 metres, before finishing in Grantown-on-Spey.

“This is my first ultramarathon, so I’m feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves,” commented Mark. “I wanted to do something that will make a difference, and if running 50k helps raise awareness and contributes towards research into better treatments and hopefully one day a cure, it’ll be worth every step.”

Logistics UK’s HR Director, Tim Rolfe, said: “As an organisation, we encourage employees to utilise their CSR days to support causes close to their hearts, and will be cheering Mark on every step of his ultramarathon.”

Donations are still being collected and anyone who would like to support Mark Robertson can make donations here: Dava Way 50k for Parkinson’s UK

Business group Logistics UK champions the logistics sector, the backbone of the UK economy and global trade, providing a unique, authoritative voice for its members. As the only trade association representing the whole industry, it supports more than 22,000 members, operating in road, rail, waterways, sea and air freight, in ports, airports and warehousing, as well as the customers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers. The group delivers industry representation, services and thought leadership to support a sector that is critical to economic growth, employing 8% of the UK workforce, contributing £175 billion in annual GVA and enabling over a £1 trillion of international trade.

¹ Parkinson’s UK