JANET Kerr, a grandmother to four from Lochgelly, is now 40 weeks into her incredible challenge of marking her 50th birthday by completing 50 miles of cycling or swimming, scootering or skating in each of 50 weeks of this year.

Janet, a former teacher who has four grown-up children, has been living with Parkinson’s for three years after being diagnosed with the condition at the age of 47. Janet’s using her year of challenges to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK - a charity with which Janet and husband Gary have formed a strong bond since Janet’s diagnosis. Janet set herself a target of £500 and has smashed that - raising almost £5,000 so far.

Janet’s symptoms are so severe that she lives in almost constant pain and has to avoiding walking whenever possible.

That makes it even more remarkable that last week Janet completed her toughest challenge ever when she cycled the North Coast 500 route solo - beginning and ending in Inverness and over nine arduous days taking in Applecross’s famous Bealach na Ba pass, Durness, and Lairg.

Janet said: “Without a shadow of doubt, it’s been the hardest physical challenge I’ve ever done.

"Having Parkinson’s can look like an invisible disability but how it impacts on me is that my right side is affected. It could be compared to having a stroke - there is a lack of power in my right leg and hand/arm, a nothingness.

"Tests have shown I have a quarter of the power on that side. Often the leg doesn’t engage on the bike and I know that is happening when I can’t get a smooth revolution; it clunks away around.

"My leg feels like a log and my foot feels heavy. It’s like trying to walk but having someone wrapped around you, trying to stop you and weigh you down. My main symptom is chronic pain, but it’s something I’ve learned to live with and manage as best I can but the additional pain of the challenge itself took me to a whole new threshold!

“The positive that has come out of having Parkinson’s is that I would never have undertaken a challenge like this to truly find out how determined and resilient I actually am. Just because I have Parkinson’s, it doesn’t mean the end. Through hard work and consistency of exercise; is the main reason I am able to do this. This was a celebration of being alive and a mantra that I had to repeat to get me through the challenge, although I had a ‘blip’ now and again. I had to depend on complete strangers to help me with some practical tasks that I find challenging; helping me with my shoes, and on a couple of occasions getting someone to help remove my sports tops! Because I struggle with the right arm, especially after a day holding onto the handlebars, I predominantly steer with my left and by the end of the day, it too was tired!"

Janet added: “The support and kindness of everyone from complete strangers to my friends and family has been overwhelming. It was tough going through some atrocious weather and many times I could hardly see through a mixture of rain and tears! But I was determined to get there

and not feel like I’d let anyone down - the support kept me going and I’ll be forever grateful for that.”

Emma Hall, Regional Fundraiser for Parkinson’s UK, said: “Janet and husband Gary have been tremendous supporters and volunteers for Parkinson’s UK over the last three years.

"We’ve got to know how tenacious Janet can be and we’re absolutely thrilled that she made it through this particular challenge. Janet is inspirational and her determination to live life to the full is admired and appreciated by everyone in the Parkinson’s community in Scotland. This was an incredible personal challenge but her impact is much wider and it’s only through the efforts of people like Janet that Parkinson’s UK can continue to provide life enhancing local services across Scotland and fund world-leading research that one day will end Parkinson’s. Forever.”

You can follow Janet’s progress for the last 10 weeks of her challenges and show your support for Janet and Parkinson’s UK by visiting

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/janetsfiftychallenge