Jake's Half Marathon in Memory of Joseph Parry

Strength beyond Strength. Stronger than all. Joseph Parry.

Update – June 2025
The funeral was held on June 13th, 2025. Since then, I’ve felt drained and tired — grief and the outpouring of emotion have taken it's toll. But I’m coping as healthily as I can, and I’m allowing myself to feel it. All of it.

I may not have achieved what others have in certain areas of life, but I’m nothing if not self-aware — and that’s helped me greatly. It’s also why I’ve taken my time in posting another update here. I want to process things properly… and honestly, getting my brain to work right now just ain’t easy.

Speaking of the fundraiser — it continues to go from strength to strength.

As I write this, the total stands at £1,699, which is something I never could have imagined when setting it up. With a little more effort and a few more shares, I really believe we can push it to £2,000.
Joe would be absolutely buzzing. I know for a fact he’d barely be able to contain himself.

I miss him every single day — and I probably always will.
But that’s okay.
Because I know that grief will help me grow… and I know I’ll make him proud.
Win/win.

I just wanted to post this update to let you all know how unbelievably grateful I am for every single donation and every single share. And to celebrate how this amazing total keeps climbing.

I’ve seen first-hand how devastating serious motorcycle injuries can be — and I’ve also seen how vital the work of the NABD is. So please know: your money is genuinely helping people who often fall through the cracks of the system.

Times are hard — and getting harder. Which makes your kindness all the more special. It’s moments like this that prove when we act with unity and understanding, we can light up the darkest places.

When we help each other, we help ourselves — and no one can ever take that away from us.

I can’t wait for race day.

I can’t wait to do Joe proud.

— Jacob

P.S I have included a wonderful photo sent to me by Joe's amazing mother Trudi. This was from one of Joe's birthday parties. I think he must have been about 15 in this picture and me 14. Brilliant!

Hi guys, I just wanted to post a quick update since the response to this fundraiser for Joe has been absolutely flabbergasting!

I set a target of £300 as I thought this would be both reasonable and something I could achieve. 

Imagine my surprise then that this target was hit within TWO HOURS of sharing on Facebook and now sits at almost £700, more than double the target! 

I wanted to post this update to say a HUGE HUGE HUGE thankyou to every single person who has donated and/or shared this fundraiser. I know Joe would be estatic and I know his family are too. As am I! 

I see absolutely no reason to slow this down and with about 4 months before race day I'd love to keep the action rolling! So please; keep spreading the word, keep donating, keep talking about Joe and most of all keep enjoying every single moment of life that there is.

Life is not something that happens to you. It is an experience. Something to be felt, all of it, throughout your entire being. Do not pursue happiness, pursue peace. 

I will be posting Strava updates from my runs to keep anybody who is interested up to date on my training. As well as other updates as and when they present themselves. 

All the best, Joe's friend Jake.