MORE than 570 locals weaved through a 2km stretch of trees at Eastern Park on Sunday to raise $20,000+ for the wider Parkinson\u2019s community. <\/p>\n
About 40 volunteers as well as neighbouring businesses supported the second A Walk in the Park Geelong, which aimed to champion the 11,500 Victorians who suffer from the condition. <\/p>\n
Although clouds loomed over the city across the course of the weekend, the rain held off as walkers wandered the popular garden alongside family and friends. <\/p>\n
Event organiser Kirsten George said the event was \u201camazing\u201d, with many people including Parkinson\u2019s influencers fronting to Geelong\u2019s arboretum to back the cause. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe five hours of clear weather over the weekend fell exactly when we needed it to,\u201d Ms George said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t tackle this disease on our own. We need to do it together and have the support of each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Personal trainer Melanie Turnley from Minc Fitness got the crowd moving pre-walk, while the Geelong Vietnam Veterans Association dished up sausages post-walk. Singing group ParkinSong also helped liven the atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Ms George said she believed this year\u2019s efforts in promoting the walk, such as Your Family, Our Family – an online initiative which saw a series of posts about Parkinson\u2019s sufferers shared online – contributed to the overall success of A Walk in the Park Geelong. <\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people mentioned to me that they loved hearing the stories about people and that Parkinson\u2019s is anyone, and it affects you very differently whether it\u2019s a family member or you yourself,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Parkinson\u2019s Victoria chief executive officer Emma Collin attended the Geelong leg of the nation-wide fundraiser and said events such as A Walk in the Park provided essential services and educational benefits for Parkinson\u2019s sufferers and their families. <\/p>\n
Ms George said the event was likely to run again next year with support from Homestyle Aged Care, Prestige Inhome Care and the City of Greater Geelong. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MORE than 570 locals weaved through a 2km stretch of trees at Eastern Park on Sunday to raise $20,000+ for the wider Parkinson\u2019s community. About 40 volunteers as well as neighbouring businesses supported the second A Walk in the Park Geelong, which aimed to champion the 11,500 Victorians who suffer from the condition. Although clouds […]<\/p>\n