2021 was another challenging year for all of us, with many unable to fundraise due to changing local restrictions and more time at home. Despite that, Shake It Up made it through 2021 with the support of our fundraisers, generous donors and corporate sponsors who are committed to finding treatments that slow, stop and prevent progression, ultimately leading to a cure for Parkinson’s.
Shake It Up would like to thank our supporters who have been so integral to our success in 2021. Let’s have a look back on some of our amazing fundraising heroes for 2021.
Gary and his team take on Everest on Mt Coolum
Gary and his team of Everest Trekkers have been our heroes for a number of years now! In October, they completed their trekking challenge – to walk the same distance as Everest from wherever they are in Australia. Most of the group are from QLD and completed the trek together on Mt Coolum, ascending the mountain 42 times over a week.
This year, the team raised $4,625, and over the 3 years that Gary has hosted an Everest Trek his teams have collectively raised $20,269 for Parkinson’s research. An amazing achievement!
Coxy’s Long Walk Returns
In April, Shake It Up supporter, David Cox, and a team of friends walked from Manly to Bondi in a huge marathon effort for Parkinson’s, raising over $6,000 on the way. David is no stranger to long walks, having completed Sydney to Dubbo for Shake It Up in 2018.
David also wore a new prototype device by Walking Tall Health designed to help people with Parkinson’s on the marathon walk.
The Shake Off Face Off takes to the ice
In May, our ice skaters, Owen and Sandra Turner, along with their daughters Mikaela and Kiera and Kiera’s partner Elijah challenged themselves to skate the same distance as a National Hockey League player skates in an entire season, in just 3 months – that’s 660km!
Together, the team completed their challenge and raised $5,950 for Parkinson’s Research! Motivated by Owen’s recent diagnosis, Kiera said that “it’s so important to see a cure for Parkinson’s to ensure that other families do not have to experience what we are likely to face.”
Monkey Mia boys do Simpson Desert
Long-time Shake It Up supporters, the Monkey Mia boys, made plans for another big trip and fundraiser in 2021.
After three years of incredibly successful fundraisers totalling in excess of $125,000 raised for Shake It Up (Monkey Mia to Byron Bay and Monkey Mia boys go bush again & Monkey Mia boys do Covid 19 desert trip.), the boys head off again into the Simpson Desert.
They raised another $55,190 this year in an incredible team effort for which we are very grateful.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our 2021 Fundraising Heroes next week!
Could you make a difference for Parkinson’s? Research needs funds in order to proceed and our fundraisers make a huge impact towards how many projects we can fund. Find out more about getting involved in fundraising today.
