People are invited to join the Wimmera Parkinson’s Peer Support Group for its annual ‘A Walk in the Park’ at Horsham on Sunday, April 6.

A self-paced walk or run of individual choosing, organiser Mark Gallagher said the Fight Parkinson’s event was to raise awareness and money for research into the disease.

“People can join us for a short walk, which starts at Weir Park at 11am,” he said.

“Following the walk, we will have a barbecue lunch, which is included in the $10 entry fee.” 

Mr Gallagher said about 57,000 people in Victoria have Parkinson’s disease, the second-most common neurological condition in the community  after Alzheimer’s. 

“Parkinson’s Walk Group has been going for about 40 years in the Wimmera,” Mr Gallagher said.

“A Kaniva lady started it about 40 years ago to raise awareness after her brother-in-law was diagnosed.”

Mr Gallagher said Parkinson’s was diverse, with symptoms varying between people, and early symptoms can include smaller than usual handwriting, and loss of smell for foods such as banana and liquorice.  

“But movement is the main thing to be affected,” he said.

The support group meets each month for alternating formal meetings and social meets. 

People can find more information about the disease at parkinsonsvic.org.au, or call Shona on 0402 863 360 for support and information. 

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