How To Make a Meaningful Difference for Parkinson’s this Christmas

Tuesday, 25th November 2025

The festive season is upon us! Christmas is a time for community and connection, and for many, it is encapsulated by a spirit of giving. If you are looking for ways to give back and support Parkinson’s research this December, here are some ideas and inspiration from our amazing Shake It Up heroes.

Festive Fundraising

From Christmas light displays to market stalls, our Shake It Up fundraising heroes know how to band together and turn their holiday traditions into an opportunity to make a difference for the Parkinson’s community. If you have a local community Christmas event coming up, or you run a small business or store, why not add a fundraising element this December to contribute to Australia’s best and brightest scientists in their quest to slow, stop and cure Parkinson’s?

Hero Spotlight: Vanessa’s Sustainable Gift Wrapping

Vanessa created a fun and sustainable alternative to gift wrapping, with proceeds going to Shake It Up.

“I was walking back from the gym one day and started thinking about how much gift wrapping paper we waste at Christmas time. In the past I have made cloth bags to put all sorts of things into but it occurred to me that they would also make marvellous, re-usable, sustainable gift bags. Even if I’m having a bad Parkie day, sewing to raise funds for Shake It Up makes me happy. Spreading the message is a good feeling too. I’d encourage anyone with a streak of creativity to let their imaginations run riot. Research is the only way that a cure and better treatment for Parkinson’s will be found.” – Vanessa

Events with Purpose

Christmas parties, lunches with friends and family, school bake sales, community events, end of year trips… the holiday season can be a busy one. Many of our supporters choose to make their upcoming events more meaningful by turning them into a fundraiser. It can be as simple as creating a fundraising page (it only takes a few minutes) and asking your friends, family or colleagues to donate online or at the door!

Hero Spotlight: Charity raffle at Geek Markets – Xmas Edition

Callum and Brooke, owners of the ‘CBR DeLorean’, took their Back to the Future-themed Charity Raffle to the Xmas Geek Markets, raising vital funds for Shake It Up Australia while sharing their passion for the film and building a sense of community.

“It is SO satisfying to be able to use the car and our love of Back to the Future to help support the community in such a tangible way. We’ve always felt so happy sharing the joy of this wild and crazy car, and now that we’re also able to engage with people (so many of whom have shared stories of the way Parkinson’s has impacted their own lives either directly or through friends and family) to “do good”, it just adds an extra layer of satisfaction and delight to the whole experience.”

Get Active for Good

Do you have a run club, walking group, regular pilates class or play a team sport? You can get your crew together for a Christmas activity that not only gets you moving but drives progress for a Parkinson’s cure. The opportunities are endless. Pilates for Parkinson’s, a push-ups challenge, training for a Fun Run…. you choose!

Hero Spotlight: Trek Ready Himalayas Christmas Walk

Fundraising legend Gary McKitterick-Gillett, founder of Trek Ready Himalayas, not only runs an annual fundraising trek in support Shake It Up, but finds opportunities throughout the year to spread the word, from Pancakes for Parkinson’s in April to a Swing for Parkinson’s Golf Day. This December, Gary will be hosting a Christmas Walk on Mt Ngungun, on the 11 December, starting at 5pm. It’s free, fun and open to all, an opportunity to raise awareness and join the Trek Ready Himalayas community in their mission to support Parkinson’s research.

Wonderful Workplace Support

Your workplace can make an impact in the search for a Parkinson’s cure. Christmas parties, end-of-year get togethers and festive office activities are all great ways to support the cause and show your staff and customers that you care. Other options to get your organisation involved include:

Corporate sponsorship – becoming a corporate sponsor will deliver real hope for the Parkinson’s community by allowing us to forward-plan for funding of innovative research
Workplace giving – establish a workplace giving program to allow employees to make regular donations and advance Parkinson’s research

Or think outside the box and create your very own Christmas giving initiative! Here is an inspirational example from our community of corporate supporters.

Hero Spotlight: ‘Elevate the Season’ Christmas Appeal

Elevate Residential is a Brisbane-based real estate agency with a difference: 100% of profits are reinvested directly back to support those in housing need or at risk of homelessness by working alongside its charitable partner, Brisbane Housing Company, to assist in delivering affordable housing for those in need across Queensland. This year they launched a Christmas Appeal to support Shake It Up Australia, sharing it across their networks and encouraging donations. Elevate is changing real estate for good.

Being a social enterprise, the team like to support other organisations that are making a real impact. And this year, this cause is deeply personal. Principal Licensee Chris Meadmore knows the reality all too well, as his father has lived with Parkinson’s disease for 24 years now.

“When your team feels a genuine connection to a cause, the impact is extraordinary. It’s not just about giving; it’s about standing for something that truly matters. Christmas is the perfect time to give back, so we chose a cause that resonates deeply.

“Together, the Elevate team stands united in the fight, because every step forward brings us closer to a future free from Parkinson’s disease.” – Chris Meadmore

Propel Progress for a Cure

This Christmas, you can help us give researchers the best chance of uncovering a cure by making a donation to Shake It Up Australia.

Parkinson’s research is accelerating quickly. New discoveries, better treatments, and scientific breakthroughs are happening all the time, and each one brings us a step closer to slowing, stopping and curing the disease. You can be part of this vital mission, by making a donation this Christmas that will help to fund Australia’s best and brightest scientists.

Science is closer than ever before, and your support can propel progress towards a future without Parkinson’s.

“Parkinson’s research is poised to make greater gains in the next five years than was possible in the last 25.”
– Michael J. Fox