For people looking to make a difference for Parkinson’s, there are so many ways to get involved to raise funds and awareness. One way many of our supporters choose to get involved is by setting themselves a challenge. Phil Gordon is doing just that, walking the massive 128km Cape to Cape in Western Australia over just 6 days to raise funds for essential Parkinson’s research.

We spoke to Phil to find out more about his journey and how he is making a difference for people living with Parkinson’s.

Hi Phil, tell us all about your Cape-to-Cape walk! Why did you choose this walk?

I love bush walking and have always wanted to do the Cape to Cape in Western Australia. The walk is happening from 7th-14th October 2023 from the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse near Dunsborough down the coast to the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse near Augusta. I did a tiny part of it 10 years ago and was struck by the beauty of the scenery. I am finally able to go and complete the 128km walk in October this year after being delayed by the pandemic and border closures.

What sort of training will you be doing?

I am following a weight training and aerobic grid program, and do yoga 4-5 times a week at my local Virgin Active. This is hopefully getting me as strong and flexible as possible before attempting to walk 128km in 6 days! After all, I am nearly 50 years old now. From August I will be completing regular 20-28km coastal walks around Sydney harbour and beaches. The Manly to Spit Bridge walk is one of my favourites and is one of the most scenic walks in the world. In the weeks before I go, I will ramp up the walks so I am 100% ready for the challenge. I intend to post photos of my training and walks to my fundraising page so people can follow my progress.

What drives your commitment to fundraise for Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s is such an awful disease. One of my best friends who is only in his 50s was diagnosed with it several years ago. He is fighting hard against it with the support of his amazing wife, and he is quite inspirational in this regard, but I can see the impact it is having on him. My father who is nearly 80 was also recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s as well. This drives me to do this walk for charity.

Why did you choose to raise funds for Shake It Up Australia?

I chose to raise funds for Shake it Up as they are focused on finding a cure for Parkinson’s and every single dollar raised goes to finding a cure. This is important to me and my sponsors as they know everything they donate is going to make a difference. Hopefully the money I raise can help to find a cure in the near future.

What words of advice do you have for others hoping to make a difference for Parkinson’s?

I encourage everyone out there who wants to make a difference to pick something they love doing which is challenging and get sponsored to do it for Parkinson’s research. It’s a win win. You do something you love and raise money for important causes like Shake it Up. What’s not to like about that?

How can people support your fundraising goal?

I would love it if people would follow my fundraising page on the Shake it Up website. I also have a Facebook page which will have the link to my Shake it Up challenge donor page. As well as posting updates of my training, I will also do a blog each day from the Cape to Cape trek with photos and a video message for everyone who has sponsored me. It would be amazing if people would consider sponsoring my walk and share my page with their friends and ask them to share it on. This way, hopefully I can hit and maybe surpass my target of raising $10,000.

Follow Phil’s journey here, or support him with a donation here.

Do you want to challenge yourself for Parkinson’s? Register today or contact our Community Fundraising & Events Manager Isobel to find out more.