More than 200 people turned out on a sunny morning in Stuart Park on Sunday for the annual Unity Walk and Run for Parkinson’s.
The event has been growing every year since it was started by Wollongong entertainer Jennifer Gray four years ago and 2017 was the biggest turnout to date.
Mrs Gray said the morning was as much about raising awareness as it was funds and support for people with Parkinson’s and their carers. It was when her father, Alan Doughton, was diagnosed seven years that she realised how little was known and spoken about Parkinson’s in the community. So she decided to do something about it to help others.
People with Parkinson’s were among walkers on Sunday and many were supported by friends and family. Greg Kumanovski and his family walked after his wife Marion Kumanovski was only diagnosed in May after first noticing tremors in her arm two years ago and more symptoms during the last 12 months. “But she didn't know what it was,” he said.
The family set itself a fundraising goal of $3,000 to support Parkinson's NSW with research but kept raising it. “We have actually raised over $5000 which is the second highest total in NSW. And we plan to do more fundraising in the coming months. We believe it is important that more people become aware of Parkinson's Disease”.
The first walk and run in Wollongong in 2014 attracted 140 people and it has grown each year to the point there were almost double that number on Sunday.
To see photos go to:
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4881661/hundreds-walk-for-parkinsons/#slide=3
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