Leeds Half Marathon Runners Raise £3,000 for ADHD Charity Stripes 2026; West Yorkshire

Key Points

• A group of runners from Otley, West Yorkshire, raised more than £3,000 for Stripes, a West Yorkshire ADHD charity, after completing the Leeds Half Marathon on Sunday, 10 May 2026
• The team was organised by Otley-based running coach Jamil Parapia, who leads running classes at local gyms and runs the Club Energy running group
• Many participants were relatively new to running, with some having completed only their first parkrun last year before taking on the 13.1-mile half-marathon challenge
• Stripes (Charity Commission number 1198903) provides support services for children and families affected by ADHD across West Yorkshire, including peer support meetings, parenting courses, and help with school support and benefit applications
• The Leeds Half Marathon took place on Sunday, 10 May 2026, as part of Jane Tomlinson’s RUN FOR ALL event, with over 15,000 entries sold across the marathon weekend
• Stripes reported total income of £157,202 for the financial year ending 31 August 2024, with 5 trustees and 20 volunteers supporting the charity’s work

Leeds (The Leeds Times) May 22, 2026 — A team of first-time half-marathon runners from Otley has successfully raised more than £3,000 for Stripes, a West Yorkshire charity supporting children and families affected by ADHD, after completing the Leeds Half Marathon on Sunday, 10 May 2026.

The fundraising effort was brought together by Jamil Parapia, an Otley-based running coach who leads running classes at local gyms and operates the Club Energy running group. According to the group’s account, many of the runners were relatively new to the sport, with some having completed only their first parkrun as recently as last year before deciding to take on the 13.1-mile challenge.

Inspired by Parapia’s coaching, the group made the decision to tackle their first half-marathon while simultaneously raising vital funds for charity. The £3,000+ raised will support Stripes’ work across some of the most deprived communities in West Yorkshire, where families affected by ADHD often face additional barriers to accessing support and resources.

How Did the Otley Running Group Come Together for This Charity Challenge?

As reported through the group’s documentation, Jamil Parapia has been active in the local running community for several years.

Records show Parapia competing for Otley AC in various races, including finishing 1st MV45 at the Dewsbury 10K in February 2025 with a time of 32.51 minutes.

Parapia also maintains an Instagram presence under the handle @jp_running_coaching, where the group shares updates about Club Energy Otley running sessions.

The Club Energy running group appears to focus on building running confidence among newcomers. Many participants in the Leeds Half Marathon had limited long-distance running experience prior to the event, making their completion of the half marathon particularly noteworthy.

What Services Does Stripes Provide to West Yorkshire Families Affected by ADHD?

Stripes – The West Yorkshire ADHD Charity (Charity Commission number 1198903) provides a comprehensive range of support services for individuals and families affected by ADHD across West Yorkshire. The charity’s mission statement is

“To empower and support neurodivergent individuals and their families across West Yorkshire, building an inclusive community where everyone can thrive”.

According to the charity’s official documentation, Stripes supports anyone affected by ADHD, including both adults and children with or suspected of having ADHD, as well as their parents, carers, and siblings. The charity’s services include:

• Online support via their Facebook page
• Face-to-face peer support meetings
• Specialised parenting courses
• Children’s weekend and holiday activities
• Assistance getting children the right support in school
• Help applying for DLA (Disability Living Allowance), PIP (Personal Independence Payment), and Carer’s Allowance

The charity operates across West Yorkshire, with particular focus on deprived communities where families face additional barriers to accessing support.

The Leeds ADHD Support Group, run by Stripes, meets on the last Thursday of every month between 7pm and 9pm at Inkwell Arts in Chapel Allerton.

Financial records from the Charity Commission show that Stripes reported total income of £157,202 and total expenditure of £157,595 for the financial year ending 31 August 2024.

The charity operates with 5 trustees and 20 volunteers, with no employees receiving total benefits over £60,000.

Why Is the Leeds Half Marathon Significant for Charity Fundraising?

The Leeds Half Marathon took place on Sunday, 10 May 2026, as part of Jane Tomlinson’s RUN FOR ALL event, which also included the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon. Tristan Batley-Kyle, Operations Director at Run For All, commented that

“The 2026 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon once again delivered something exceptional for Leeds and the wider region, with more than 10,000 runners taking part across the weekend”.

The 2026 event saw record engagement across both marathon and half marathon distances, with over 15,000 entries sold. The introduction of the MND Wave marked a historic milestone for the running community and the fight against Motor Neurone Disease, though the Otley group’s fundraising focused on ADHD support.

The half marathon distance of 13.1 miles presents a significant challenge for novice runners, making the Otley group’s achievement particularly noteworthy given that many participants had only completed their first parkrun the previous year.

Background: The Development of Charity Running Fundraising in West Yorkshire

The fundraising by the Otley running group represents a growing trend in community-based charity running in West Yorkshire.

Stripes, established as Charity Commission number 1198903, has been providing ADHD support services across West Yorkshire for several years, operating with a volunteer-based model that includes 20 volunteers supporting 5 trustees.

The Leeds Half Marathon has become an increasingly popular fundraising opportunity for local charities. The event’s connection to the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, named after the Leeds Rhinos rugby league player who died from Motor Neurone Disease in June 2024, has elevated its profile in the running community.

Jamil Parapia’s involvement in local running dates back at least to 2014, when records show competition results including Otley AC runners.

The Coach JP Instagram account (@jp_running_coaching) demonstrates ongoing engagement with the running community through Club Energy Otley sessions.

Stripes’ focus on deprived communities addresses a documented gap in ADHD support access. The charity’s work includes practical assistance with benefit applications and school support, areas where families often encounter systemic barriers.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Families and Children with ADHD in West Yorkshire

The £3,000+ raised by the Otley running group will directly impact Stripes’ capacity to deliver services to families affected by ADHD across West Yorkshire. Based on the charity’s 2024 financial data showing total income of £157,202, this fundraising represents approximately 1.9% of annual income, a meaningful contribution that could support specific services or expand existing programs.

For families in West Yorkshire’s deprived communities, the additional funding may translate to expanded access to peer support meetings, parenting courses, and holiday activities.

The charity’s service model includes face-to-face support alongside online options through Facebook, providing multiple access points for families with different needs and circumstances.

The fundraising effort may also encourage other local running groups to consider charity challenges, potentially creating a sustainable pipeline of fundraising support for Stripes. The involvement of novice runners demonstrates that significant fundraising can be achieved without requiring elite athletic performance, potentially broadening the pool of potential fundraisers.

For children with ADHD and their siblings, the funding could support expanded weekend and holiday activities, which provide structured support and social opportunities. The charity’s assistance with school support and benefit applications (DLA, PIP, Carer’s Allowance) may also reach more families with the additional resources.