A Walk in the Park Geelong goes in a different direction

GEELONG has missed the date slated for the third A Walk in the Park event to raise awareness and funds to support people living with Parkinson’s disease, but the event will go ahead in a different way next month.
Instead of an estimated 700 participants taking a walk around the Eastern Park Circuit together on September 16, 27forParkinson’s is encouraging people to get out and move at their own pace and walk 27 times over 27 days in October.
Volunteers who make up the A Walk in the Park Geelong Working Group have been meeting via Zoom to discuss opportunities to continue to support Geelong and the Surf Coast’s Parkinson’s community and look forward to promoting and participating in 27forParkinson’s.
A Walk in the Park Geelong T-shirts and branded face masks are also for sale to increase fundraising efforts.
“We have raised over $35,000 over the last two years and we are hoping the Geelong community will get behind this new direction and take 27 walks over 27 days to support our Parkinson’s community,” A Walk in the Park Geelong event organiser Kirsten George said.
“Our local catch phrase is Our family, your family and we want to ensure that people living with Parkinson’s know that they don’t have to face their journey alone – the Geelong Parkinson’s family are right beside them, each step of the way.”
Ms George’s father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s more than 17 years ago and A Walk in the Park Geelong has provided him with a boost knowing that he is not alone, and that not only people with Parkinson’s will walk beside him, but also the whole Geelong community.
More than 27,000 people are living with Parkinson’s in Victoria, with around 40 people newly diagnosed each week. Parkinson’s is a progressive, degenerative neurological condition that affects a person’s control of their body movements.
Each Parkinson’s diagnosis is individual, with the type, number, severity and progression of symptoms varying greatly. Parkinson’s is treatable with medication, but there is presently no cure.
Parkinson’s Victoria’s mission is to enable people living with Parkinson’s to lead full and active lives; and support the development of more effective treatments and a cure.
The multi-disciplinary health team provides information, education, advice and peer support services to improve the life of the Parkinson’s community.
Registration for 27forParkinson’s is free and accessible to everyone, no matter where you live.
Parkinson’s Victoria is also proud to welcome Lara MP John Eren, who recently publicly revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis, as an ambassador.
To register or purchase T-shirts and face masks, head to parkinsonswalkgeelong.com.au.