Putney Home Care Co-Owner to Run London Marathon

Kunal Prakash raising funds for osteoporosis charity

Sandip Patel and Kunal Prakash

April 13, 2026

A Putney home care provider is swapping his uniform for running shoes this month as he takes on the 2026 London Marathon to raise funds for the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS).

Kunal Parkash, co-owner of Walfinch Home Care Richmond and Putney, will run alongside his lifelong friend Sandip Patel on 26 April, aiming to raise £5,000 for the charity. By 10 April, the pair had already collected £3,500 in donations.

“We are proud to be supporting the Royal Osteoporosis Society, whose work helps raise awareness, fund research, and support those affected by osteoporosis — a condition that often goes unnoticed until lives are seriously impacted,” said Kunal.

Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them more prone to fractures. It affects 3.5 million people in the UK, causing around 500,000 broken bones each year. Half of women and one in five men over 50 will suffer a fracture due to the condition.

This will be Kunal’s sixth London Marathon and Sandip’s first. The friends began running together in 2020, completing two half marathons before deciding to take on the full 26.2-mile challenge. “Taking on the marathon now feels like the natural next step,” said Sandip.

Both runners are dedicating their efforts to loved ones. Kunal is running in memory of his father, Om Parkash, who died 35 years ago. “His strength, resilience, and values continue to guide me, and running in his memory is my way of honouring his life and legacy,” he said. Sandip will run in memory of his parents, Mrudula and J.C. Patel, describing the event as “an especially emotional and meaningful challenge.”

Supporters can donate via Walfinch’s JustGiving page.

“Every donation, big or small, will help make a difference by turning this run into something that truly matters,” said Parkash.

Amrit Dhaliwal, known as The Walking CEO and a Business Ambassador for ROS, praised the pair’s commitment. “Walfinch staff, franchisees, clients and supporters did a five-kilometre walk/run on Hampstead Heath on 29 March to raise funds for ROS. Kunal and Sandip joined in, despite having already done a 20k practice run earlier in the day,” he said.

Walfinch is also helping to promote The Great British Bone Check, a free online risk checker provided by the Royal Osteoporosis Society, encouraging people to learn more about their bone health and take preventive action.