Our hero this week is Iain who has been hosting music gig nights for Shake It Up for the past few years and donating proceeds. His gig nights are a huge success with great bands, lots of dancing and smiles all round! His latest gig night raised over $1000 which is an incredible achievement – thank you Iain!

What Drives Your Commitment to find a cure for Parkinson’s?

My Dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a few years ago and it took me a while to understand it. In a way I still am I think. But seeing how he handled it and how my mum handled it really made me realise how special a connection they had and I wanted to preserve that, not just in our family but with everyone affected by Parkinson’s.

Why Shake It Up Australia?

100% of donations go to research and Dad said it was the best one. Simple as that haha.

Tell us what you are doing to Shake Things Up

I’m just trying to do things as authentically as possible in a world that seems to be leaning more so to inauthentic behaviour. I think we need that more than is possibly realised. A friend of mine said recently that making other people smile is the happiness she needs. I thought that was a lovely statement.

Greatest Reward?

Seeing my parents eat chicken wings and chips at the Lansdowne and dance to the bands on the bill. The amount of people that came up to me with stories of their own relating to Parkinson’s. Also being able to do this again next year.

Best advice for people looking to Shake It Up?

I’m not sure I’m the best person to give advice! I’m still trying to figure it out myself. One thing I’ve picked up is community and collaboration. We’re nothing without those I feel. And be kind, you never know what people are going through.

 Help find a cure for Parkinson’s! Find out how you can get involved and help make a difference.