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Amelia tackles an everest-sized challenge for Parkinson’s research
Monday, 21st July 2025
When Amelia set out to walk the distance of Everest Base Camp in April, she wasn’t seeking fanfare — just impact.
Balancing university, work, and life, she clocked up over 150km on foot, walking across NSW and the ACT, often with her beloved pup Zoe by her side. Her mission? To honour a deeply personal connection to Parkinson’s and raise funds to support a future free from the disease.
Along the way, she raised $3,000 for Shake It Up — and proved that meaningful action often begins with a single step.
Tell us all about your fundraising challenge
“In the month of April, I challenged myself to walk the distance of Mount Everest Base Camp — which is 130km. I chose this goal as I saw it as an achievable yet challenging mission, specifically while trying to fit it in around university and work. My aim was to not just do the challenge solo. While lots of the kilometres had to come from walking on my own, when it was possible, I would walk with my friends, my family and of course my dog, Zoe. In the end I walked about 150km and was lucky enough to walk all across NSW and the ACT.”
What inspires your commitment to fundraise for Parkinson’s research?
“Parkinson’s disease is something that has affected my family for decades. My earliest memories of my Grandpa were of him shaking. Of course at that time, I just assumed it was what happened to people as they aged, but as I grew older myself, I began to realise that wasn’t the case.
Before Grandpa, his own Mum was also affected by Parkinson’s, with her being one of the first people to receive the thalamotomy surgery.
This was something I grew up knowing but not taking much notice of. That was, until mid last year when my mum got diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson’s. The worry my siblings and I faced knowing this disease was ‘degenerative’ and incurable was significant.
So, when I began researching about possible ways to help early this year I stumbled across Shake It Up, and so I began walking.”
Why did you choose to support Shake It Up?
“I liked that Shake It Up was Australian, founded locally, and that all of the money goes directly to Parkinson’s research. After speaking to my Mum, she told me about their affiliation with The Michael J. Fox Foundation, and commented on the amazing research they had contributed to.”
What is your advice for others wanting to make a difference?
“I was scared at first to ask people for money — it seems like such a big ask, especially in our economy today. I was scared people would ask questions I couldn’t answer and that people wouldn’t see it as a valid reason to raise money. I was wrong.
People are willing to support, and they’re asking questions because they are interested and they care. And they don’t mind if you don’t know the answer.
So, my one piece of advice would be just do it. The scariest bit should be if you will complete your challenge in time — not what people will think about you doing it.”
