Sienna’s Triathlon Challenge for her Grandad

Thursday, 1st October 2026

Team Shake It Up is our group of incredible fundraisers who take on athletic challenges to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s research. In November 2026, one of these fundraisers, Sienna, will take on her first triathlon, pushing herself out of her comfort zone while striving for a purpose beyond crossing the finish line.

“I’m doing this triathlon for my grandad, for our family, and for every person and family living with Parkinson’s”, Sienna told us. “That’s why I wanted to turn this triathlon into something bigger than a personal challenge.”

We spoke with Sienna to learn more about this personal cause, why she is so passionate about research, and what this triathlon means to her.

Hi Sienna! How is your training going?

I’ve given myself 10 weeks to prepare, with training across swimming, cycling and running, as well as strength work. I’ve also been sharing the journey along the way: the good sessions, the hard ones and everything in between! Knowing why I’m doing it has definitely given me some extra motivation on the harder days.

What inspired you to take on this challenge for Parkinson’s research?

My grandad is my biggest reason for doing this. He has been living with Parkinson’s for more than a decade, after being diagnosed in January 2015.

Over the years, I’ve watched Parkinson’s gradually change so many aspects of his everyday life. He now experiences tremors, stiffness, slower movement, changes to his speech, fatigue and difficulties with his balance and mobility.

I really don’t want his story to only focus on what Parkinson’s has taken from him. My grandad is an incredibly hardworking, adventurous and intelligent person who I have always looked up to. Parkinson’s has changed what he can do day-to-day, but it hasn’t changed who he is or what he means to our family.

That’s why I wanted to turn this triathlon into something bigger than a personal challenge. I’m doing it for my grandad, our family and all the other people and families living with Parkinson’s.

Why did you choose to support Shake It Up?

Research is really important to me because there currently isn’t a cure for Parkinson’s. I wanted the money I raised to contribute towards research into better treatments and, hopefully one day, a cure. Shake It Up’s mission to slow, stop and cure Parkinson’s really connected with why I wanted to take on this challenge.

What would it mean to you to slow, stop and cure Parkinson’s?

It would mean more than I could put into words. One of the hardest parts of Parkinson’s is knowing that it is progressive and watching someone you love continually have to adapt as things change.

My grandad recently told me that going away on holidays is now a “long gone memory,” but that he focuses on “making the most of what I have around me.”

If research could give people like my grandad more time, more independence and a better quality of life and ultimately prevent other families from experiencing the progression of Parkinson’s, that would be incredible.

What is one thing you wish people understood more about Parkinson’s?

That it is so much more than a tremor. There are many symptoms and challenges that aren’t immediately visible to other people, and as Parkinson’s progresses, people continually have to adapt how they live their everyday lives.

I actually asked my grandad this question, and I think his own words explain it best: “One has to adapt to a new way of living as the Parkinson’s progresses. It is debilitating and frustrating, requiring patience from me and those around me.”

That is something I really hope sharing this journey can help more people understand.

What’s your advice for someone else wanting to make a difference, who isn’t sure how to start?

Honestly, just start and see where it takes you. When I first decided to do this, I never expected the amount of donations or support I’ve received. I thought I’d give it a go, raise whatever I could and do something meaningful for my grandad.

Since then, the support has been incredible. I’ve had friends, family, local businesses and people in my community donate, share my fundraiser, encourage me and get behind what I’m doing. It’s made me realise how much people genuinely want to support a good cause when you give them the opportunity.

I’ve also realised that you never know who might quietly need something like this. Someone following my journey might have Parkinson’s themselves, have a family member or friend living with it, or simply connect with the story in a way I’ll never know about. That’s shown me that making a difference isn’t only about how much money you raise — raising awareness and starting conversations matters too.

So my advice would be to just give it a go, even if you don’t think it will turn into much. I certainly didn’t expect mine to receive the support it has, and seeing so many people get behind me, my grandad and Parkinson’s research has been one of the most special parts of this whole experience.

This challenge started because of my grandad, but I’m doing it for everyone affected by Parkinson’s.

You can support Sienna in her Triathlon by visiting her fundraising page here.