We came across yet another very worthy fundraising so we spoke to Lanzarote-based Donna Duff to find out more about it.
Hi Donna, thank you for taking the time to speak to us. To start with, where are you from?
Originally, I am from Cumbria near the beautiful Lake District.
How long have you lived in Lanzarote?
I have lived in Lanzarote for 7 years in September this year (2026). We first visited in November 1997 on our honeymoon, 30 years next year!!!
Time flies! What brought you here in the first place? And what made you stay?
We absolutely fell in love with it and in the years to follow we brought our children and now our grandchildren. We always said this is where we would live one day and when Brexit was looming, we took the risk and came out here for a new chapter. We have 3 children, the 2 youngest, who were 21 and 19 at the time came out with us. The eldest stopped in England with her own family.
Fair play to you for taking the plunge. What do you like about Lanzarote?
The island is stunning and obviously the beautiful weather was a big factor in our move. However Lanzarote always felt like home to me. It’s so relaxed and chilled with a beautiful vibe. There are many places on this island that I love, probably too many to mention. You can be in a bustling tourist resort one day then another day to the quieter, calmness and natural beauty of the North.
Indeed, so many people miss the North. Well worth exploring, in my opinion, too.
Now, tell us a bit more about the competition you are taking part in, please.
The competition I am doing is a toned figure athlete. This is about presenting a highly symmetrical balanced and x framed physique. This emphasises a small waist and wide shoulder/back with well developed shaped muscle. However, it is still a feminine and elegant look.
For this I train with weights in the gym 4 times a week and at the moment I do 4, 30 minute cardio sets on top. This will increase as the competition nears.
The diet is very stringent, ensuring I receive the correct carbs, fats, proteins, fluids and nutrients. Again the amount of food will reduce as the date gets closer.
As a figure athlete “missing out” on normal celebrations, regarding the food and drink, are part of the journey..
It doesn’t just stop at the gym though, there is the posing part of being an athlete that is very important. There are mandatory poses that must be executed and a 60 second individual routine to music.
Working out with weights has always been in my life, watching my dad, my brother and I soon joined in. I’ve competed twice in my life. first time I was 19. The gym owners at the time ran the competition so it was just a progression, although it was very different all these years ago and I didn’t take it that seriously to be honest.
When I was 35, I decided to give it another go. Again, I raised money for charity. Although I followed a strict training regime and diet plan, the federations were still very relaxed. After this competition life just got in the way. Although I knew I would like to compete again one day.
What made you go back to it?
Now at 56 I am in a new chapter of life and decided that this was the right time to challenge myself again. Initially it was a personal challenge, now i have decided to make it into a worthwhile cause and raise money for the charity “Living with Parkinsons in Lanzarote”. This is very close to our heart, as my husband was diagnosed with Parkinsons 3 years age and we have been members of the charity for a while now.
I’m very aware that I am intentionally challenging my body and mind, individuals living with Parkinsons don’t get that option. They and their families have to live with challenges on a daily basis.
My fundraiser is inspired by my husband Steve. He is my biggest supporter in everything I want to achieve in life. Putting his own personal struggles selflessly to one side.
The money raised will be used predominantly in two ways, one to purchase and provide individuals with an amazing new device called the BeechBand. This helps conditions by delivering a rhythmic vibration to the wrist, aiming to aid in neurological regulations. My husband personally has one of these and it has shown that his tremors and anxiety have improved. Other users have reported significant changes in varied symptoms of Parkinsons. The second area will be to provide translators for anyone who needs it for hospital consultations. etc.
How can people support you on this journey?
Other ways to support me and the fundraising would be to like and share all of my posts on Facebook and Instagram (links below) and spread the GoFundMe page. Also, if any businesses would like to donate raffle prizes, I will be running one in the coming months.
Oh, cool. Please, keep us posted about the raffle. Last but not least, when is the competition happening?
The competition is taking place in Milton Keynes on 10th October 2026. This time round it is very different. The federations are extremely strict in all areas. This includes bikini, shoes, jewellry, poses, hair, make up, tan and even drug testing for the criteria I’ve entered.
I would like to thank everyone who has donated or supported my challenge and fundraising so far and look forward to helping as many families as possible “Living With Parkinson’s In Lanzarote”.
My link to my story and fundraising is https://gofund.me/e35d7c26c
Again, Donna, thank you so much for your time and the very best of luck!
Follow Donna’s challenge and show your support on the following pages:
Donna’s Facebook.
Donna’s Instagram.
LWP’s Facebook.
Donna on LWP’s Instagram.
