Ash’s Portrait of Hope for the Parkinson’s Community

Tuesday, 21st October 2025

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Ash Griggs has been a long-time supporter of Shake It Up and one of our fundraising champions. In 2022 he planned a huge challenge – to cycle 350km in 4 days – and raised over $21,000 for Parkinson’s research.

Now, Ash is pursuing another passion to make a difference, creating and exhibiting a portrait of one of his heroes, Michael J. Fox, to bring awareness to the disease and continue raising funds to support Shake It Up.

Ash, tell us about your artwork, ‘Hope’. What inspired you to choose Michael J. Fox as the subject of this piece?

I admire the dedication of Michael J. Fox to making a difference in the lives of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. His words carry significant weight and I am constantly inspired by his resolve and resilience. It has been over 34 years since his diagnosis, when he was at the peak of his acting career. I appreciate that he has never made it about himself, but rather about making a positive impact.

What was the process of creating this work?

I began by selecting an image of Michael J. Fox to sketch, one that encapsulated his character. This particular image conveyed his determination, resilience, transformation, sorrow, and optimism. The portrait was created on A3 paper using lead pencils, and my main emphasis was on capturing the interplay between light and dark tones in the original photo. This contrast, in my opinion, symbolises hope. It took me approximately 12 hours to finish the piece, and it has been professionally framed to enhance its overall appearance.

Why did you choose to support Shake It Up Australia by donating the proceeds of the artwork sale?

I have a personal connection as my granddad has Parkinson’s disease and has been battling it for nearly a decade. I have previously raised money with my Ride for Parkinson’s, and I want to continue fundraising for this wonderful charity in the hope that the funds can make a difference. I am hoping to find a buyer for this piece so that we can donate 100% of the sale price to Shake It Up.

What does ‘hope’ mean to you?

I think without hope, it’s easy to fall back on the negative. When it comes to PD, we have to have hope that, no matter how small the part we play, we can make a difference. And it’s so important to hold onto the hope that we are one step closer to finding a cure.

“We may each have our own individual Parkinson’s, but we all share one thing in common: hope”. – Michael J. Fox

What is your advice for anyone else who has a personal passion, business or hobby that they could turn into a fundraiser?

My advice is to have a plan and allow the time required to execute it, which in turn gives you the best chance of making it a success. I also believe that when you have a high level of passion for a charity, it shows through in the way you speak or promote it. So, don’t be scared to tell people the ‘why’. This adds to the story and creates a connection.

 

All proceeds from the sale of ‘Hope’, by Ash Griggs, will be donated to Shake It Up to fund game-changing Australian Parkinson’s research. If you’re interested in purchasing this artwork or making an enquiry, you can email jakesappledesignco@gmail.com.