Year on year, Gary McKitterick-Gillet supports Shake It Up through his company Trek Ready Himalayas, which hosts virtual and physical treks of the Mt Everest Base camp. Gary not only raises funds for Parkinson’s research – a huge $205,000 so far – but spreads the word to build awareness and understanding of the disease across the Australian community.

Learn more about Gary and Trek Ready Himalayas.

Long-time Shake It Up supporters the Monkey Mia Boys have done desert trips, rides across the country and even online art auctions – all in the pursuit of a cure for Parkinson’s. In 2022, even when they were unable to complete their annual outback ride, they shared stories about their previous adventures, asking for support and donations and raising another $23,400 for Shake It Up, contributing to a huge grand total over the years of more than $205,000!

Read more about the Monkey Mia Boys.

Sarah is the creator of the Pedal for Parkinson’s Tour which sees riders cycle a pre-planned, fully supported, 500km loop across five days around beautiful Tasmania. All whilst bringing awareness to Parkinson’s Disease and raising funds along the way. Over the last two years, the Pedal for Parkinson’s Tour has raised over $40,000 for Shake It Up Australia.

Hear more from Sarah on the Shake It Up Show.

Ben Coburn and his friends set themselves a huge challenge – a 1km Swim, 8km Run and 3.5km Board Paddle. The team had a big group of supporters and generous donors who helped them raise just shy of $30,000 for Parkinson’s research. Ben and his group also put in a lot of effort to raise awareness about Parkinson’s within their community. They spoke to doctors and people living with Parkinson’s about their experiences, and were interviewed on local podcasts and radio to spread the word about Parkinson’s and its significant impacts.

Read our Q&A with Ben.

Our Inspired Adventures Bay of Fires trek team completed their Tasmanian challenge in September 2022, with one supporter, Brian Long, raising over $28,000 for Parkinson’s research as a result! They all trekked for five days and traversed the coastline and enjoyed beach walks, rocky outcrops, bushwalks and warm spring weather for the duration of their trip.

Read more about the trek.

In the second half of 2022, Ash began planning a huge challenge – to cycle 350km in 4 days for Parkinson’s research. Ash not only completed this challenge but has raised $21,300 for Shake It Up to bring us closer to a cure for Parkinson’s.

Read our Q&A with Ash.

Will Boag and his wife Corrie are long-time supporters of Shake It Up. They’re masters of a huge project, Will to Walk, where they travel the world and take on famous walks in some of the most beautiful and inspiring areas of the world. They’ve trekked in Portugal, France, Holland, Switzerland, Italy and Spain to name a few, while raising over $26,000 for Shake It Up Australia.

Read our Q&A with Will.

Singer/Songwriter, Amanda Canzurlo, who has long performed under the pseudonym of Bloom, began singing the songs of Linda Ronstadt. When she learned of Linda’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, Bloom wanted to make a difference. She reached out to Shake It Up and became a Shake It Up Ambassador, raising funds for the Foundation at her live concerts. In April of 2023 Bloom and her fans hit a huge milestone, raising over $30,000 for Parkinson’s research!

Find out more about Bloom.

Mark vanHamond, founder and managing director of eQuality Support, is determined to make a difference by raising awareness and funds for Parkinson’s research. Inspired by his dad’s courage and determination, Mark ran the Sydney Marathon in 2023 to support those affected by the disease and raised almost $22,000 for Shake It Up, becoming the Marathon’s top fundraiser!

Find out more about Mark and his story.

In April, Symon ran the Canberra Times Marathon Festival in support of Shake It Up Australia and Parkinson’s research, with the race taking place in Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

Symon raised over $23,000 for essential Parkinson’s research and when he launched his fundraising event he raised $8,000 quite literally overnight!

Find out more about Symon and his story.