'My Big 30 lockdown challenge - to try and find a cure for Parkinson's disease'

Adrian Higginbottom, of Walkley, decided to take on the challenge after an event he was signed up to take part in, The Big Walk 2020 for Parkinson’s, was cancelled due to COVID-19.

The 50-year-old was one of a number of participants who then decided to take on a Big 30 Challenge in its place - doing 30 things for 30 days in an effort to keep funds coming in for the charity.

“I’m a cyclist, so 30 miles in 30 days felt like a good challenge for me,” says Adrian, who reveals he usually cycles three or four times a week, for around 25 miles each.

“Throughout April and May I was doing about 400 miles a month, so 900 was a big leap.

“But I wanted to make sure it was more challenging, so I made a rule that I could never repeat the same route, and added in some major climbs - I’m no climber so I knew that would be tough!”

By far the biggest climb Adrian took on was Deliverance - a 1km hill in Sheffield that climbs over 100 metres, and sees inclines of up to, and over, 20 per cent.

“It’s like hitting a brick wall,” says Adrian, who manages the drug screening facility in SITraN at the University of Sheffield, and has been working from home throughout lockdown.

“It’s iconic amongst cyclists, but I honestly don’t know why people race up there, it’s so tough.

“The day I did it, it was raining, which wasn’t easy on the way up, and then descending down the other side in torrential rain, I got absolutely soaked.

“I’m so pleased I challenged myself to find new routes, as I found some brilliant roads I’ve never been on before.”

Adrian was joined on most of his rides by a number of family members and friends, including his wife who tackled over 600 miles with him throughout June.

“My wife has an e-bike, so she sailed up those tough hills, taking the absolutely mickey,” he laughs.

“The company has been great, eleven people have joined me throughout the month and it’s really kept me focused.

“I think the least I did in one day was 25 miles, and the most was 52.5 miles.”

Adrian’s June efforts raised an incredible £1,600 for Parkinson’s Disease Research, which is being carried out at the University of Sheffield.

“One thing I haven’t been able to rely on for a moment is the weather,” says Adrian, who reveals he lost nearly 20 pounds throughout the challenge.

“We’ve had all the seasons in one day throughout June - thunderstorms, dry and cool, torrential rain, and 30 degrees, I’ve never known what to wear out on a ride!

“Managing the drug screening facility in SITraN at the University of Sheffield, where many teams, on a daily basis, try to find cures for many neurodegenerations, including Parkinson's disease, I know how important every penny raised will be in finding, not just symptomatic therapies, but life changing cures for patients, and their families, who struggle on a daily basis.

“18,000 people a year are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and 145,000 people will be living with it in the UK this year.

“My motivation, to make me forget my sore backside, was my friend Roger and his family - one of those 145,000.

“To find a cure in his lifetime would be just amazing and worth every hour spent pedalling round the all too many hills of Sheffield.”

Visit Adrian’s JustGiving page to donate.