Coming together: All of the attendees readied themselves at the start line, eager to get under way. Photo: Aidan Briggs
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Aidan Briggs
Jeanette Branch led the Echuca-Moama Parkinson’s Support Group and the organisation Fight Parkinson’s as they embarked on their ‘A Walk in the Park’ event on Thursday.
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The walk was held at the Echuca Aquatic Reserve on April 11, World Parkinson’s Day, to raise funds and awareness of the disease, in the hopes of eventually finding a cure.
World Parkinson’s Day is celebrated on April 11 because it is the birthday of Dr James Parkinson, who officially identified Parkinson’s as a disease 207 years ago.
Organiser Jeanette Branch, an ambassador for the ‘A Walk in the Park’ event in Melbourne, spearheaded the initiative to hold the walk locally for the first time.
Since being diagnosed in 2007, Ms Branch has been actively fundraising for nearly a decade, vowing never to let the debilitating disease get the best of her.
A total of $2267 was raised on the day which contributed to the funds already raised by Ms Branch and her team in the lead-up to the ‘A Walk in the Park’ event in Melbourne.
Ms Branch was thrilled with the turnout for the event and the overwhelming support from friends, family, and fellow Parkinson’s sufferers throughout the process.
“It’s been absolutely amazing; I didn’t expect this many people to come,” she said.
“I’ve been blown away; I got very emotional during my welcome speech before we started.
“I didn’t get much sleep (Wednesday night) because I was stressing about it, but it has been perfect.”
Leading the way: Jeanette Branch and her husband Ron led the group for the first lap of the walk. Photo: Aidan Briggs
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Ever since she began fundraising nearly a decade ago, Ms Branch has always wanted to hold a local Parkinson’s event to bring attention to the disease and hopefully get more people involved to fight it.
“It has always been my aim to get a ‘Walk in the Park event happening in Echuca,” she said.
“It’s to raise awareness in the community and highlight that there is still no cure, and we want to focus on doing our best to find one.”
Joshua Donchi, the fundraising manager for Fight Parkinson’s, was also in attendance.
He delivered an opening speech and sold Fight Parkinson’s merchandise, including shirts, hats, and water bottles, throughout the day.
Mr Donchi was ecstatic with the walk’s turnout and praised the Echuca community for rallying around Ms Branch and the Echuca-Moama Parkinson’s Support Group.
“It was amazing how the Parkinson’s community came together; this is the first time we’ve done a walk in Echuca,” he said.
“It’s just fantastic to raise awareness of the condition and raise money for our support services.
“57,000 Victorians are living with Parkinson’s, and so many people in regional areas can face issues accessing vital health services, so being able to raise that awareness to let them know that there are support services available to them free of charge.”
Out in force: Many supporters and community members living with Parkinson’s walked together as part of the fundraiser. Photo: Aidan Briggs.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Mr Donchi highlighted the popularity of the ‘A Walk in the Park’ merchandise, mainly the t-shirts and how the participants wear them long after the events are over, as a reminder of the fight many people in communities all over Australia still face.
“Everyone loves their ‘A Walk in the Park’ T-shirts.
“Many people wear them like a badge of honour and collect them every year,” he said.
“The T-shirts are a great memento for people, and so many wear them to exercise and walk throughout the year.
“We obviously love promoting exercise, and it’s just something once again that raises further awareness in the community well and truly after the event.”
Ms Branch wanted to acknowledge and thank the various sponsors of the event: Rich River Golf Club, American Hotel Echuca, Echuca Workers, the Social Club at The Caledonian Hotel, the Moama Bowling Club and State Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh.
“The businesses and all of the great donations have been so incredible,” she said.
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