A FORMER folk musician from Hatton is preparing to make good on the promise he made his late mother.
John Parker, who is one half of former folk duo Nizlopi, is training for the London Marathon – which takes place on October 3 – in memory of mum Catherine.
The resident was helped by the Myton at Home team to ensure his mum – who suffered with vascular dementia – could remain at home in her final days.
The money raised will go the The Myton Hospices which operate three hospices across Warwickshire, as well as its ‘at home’ service.
John said: “I was my mum’s primary carer, and along with my family, we managed to keep her at home, which was her wish and meant we could all be with her at the end.
“Palliative care was both the hardest thing I’ve done and the proudest. I could not have done it without my family and the wonderful Myton at Home team – they helped me care for mum with dignity, respect and care, in the last few days of her life. It was truly humbling.
“Whilst sitting with mum and chatting at her, I promised I would do the garden, but I also promised to run the virtual London Marathon for the wonderful Myton Hospice.”
The former bass player and human beat boxer, whose band with childhood best friend Luke Concannn shot to fame with ‘The JCB Song’ in 2005, has so far raised nearly £13,000 – nearly five times his original target. This includes a donation of £10,000 from world-renowned pop sensation Ed Sheeran.
John contacted Ed on the off-chance to ask for help spreading the word about his fundraising – and was amazed when just a few hours later he had received a £10,000 donation on his JustGiving page from ‘Ted’.
John said: “I’m massively touched by Ed’s sponsorship, kindness and support; it proves that no matter how famous you get, you can still be a top person.”
He added: “Myton Hospice is funded solely through generosity, and they need all the funds they can get to keep delivering care the way it should be.
“Scarily I have already raised over £12k well over my target of £1500 and I’m just trying to raise as much as possible in the short window that is left before October 3.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-parker39 to donate to John’s cause.
