Bagpiper Steven Wolfe of Port Elgin led the WALK-IT for Parkinson’s Walk through North Shore Park, September 11.

Megan Dunn, Saugeen Shores Hub

The walk was worth it, at the inaugural WALK-IT for Parkinson’s event which raised $16,977 (and counting), for the Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario (PSSO), which provides funds for support services, education, advocacy and research, for the devastating neurological disease.

The event held at North Shore Park in Port Elgin on September 11 is a rebranded version Parkinson SuperWalk that typically takes place in Kincardine, and over 15 years has raised approximately $262,894 for Parkinson’s support services in Southwestern Ontario.

Over 90 people came from all over Bruce and Grey to take part. WALK-IT Volunteer Chair, Leah Coulthart-Howe said she wanted to get involved because of her mother Patricia, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease over five years ago. “She's a nurse and loves the education and has a thirst for knowledge so she got involved in the PSSO right away through support groups. And we started going to Walks and one day I said, ‘Can I help?’, and I ended up chairing the next walk.” Coulthart-Howe said they moved the event from Kincardine to Port Elgin because of a change in the volunteering community.

“Port Elgin has been fantastic, great supporters and it allows us to draw on a new set of volunteers,” said Coulthart-Howe, who was proud to advertise the Walk alongside Lake Huron to Miramichi Bay.

Walkers Sara Cottrill of Port Elgin and her father Burt Speer had much to celebrate on their walk, as Burt, who has Parkinson’s Disease, went through a trial of Focused Ultrasound on April 29 and has not had the shaky symptoms synonymous with the disease since.

Focused ultrasound can provide highly localized and controllable energy deposition deep in the tissue and unlike traditional surgeries, provides non-invasive treatment to previously hard-to-reach locations in the body, including the brain.

There were many people participating in the walk who had a story to share, from participants currently dealing with Parkinson’s Disease themselves, to those who have a family member or friend with the disease.

“It’s growing,” said Coulthart-Howe. “The sad thing with these diseases is now each year there’s more people that are diagnosed with it, and we’re definitely seeing it in this community. I’ve had two people come today and say, ‘My mom had Parkinsons or my dad had Parkinsons,’ it’s getting to the point that there is always somebody you know who has Parkinsons.”

Before the walk began, every participant was given a step counter and after the 5 kilometre walk, including a pre-walk warm-up by Holly Vanderzwet, owner of Fitness Corner and Fitness Corner South, the total number of steps reached by walkers had reached 375,870.

Mayor Mike Smith was in attendance and thanked the crowd, volunteers and community for coming together for a great cause. Brian Longmire, morning show host at 98 the Beach, emceed the event and helped out with a post-walk auction.

Coulthart-Howe was grateful for everyone in attendance as well as all of the volunteers, with special mention going to Longmire, Vanderzwet, Bagpiper Steven Wolfe of Port Elgin who led the walk, and Jennifer O’Reilly who took photos of the event.

Eleanor Thompson and her daughter Nancy Alexander from Glammis took part in the Walk for son and brother Tom Thompson.

Burt Speer and daughter Sara Cottrell were delighted to take part in the WALK-IT for Parkinson’s Walk, September 11.

Patricia Coulthart and daughter, WALK-IT Volunteer Chair, Leah Coulthart-Howe before the walk, which raised $16,977, for the Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario.

Fitness instructor Holly Vanderzwet (right) led the walkers in a warm-up before their walk 5 kilometre alongside Lake Huron.

Many four legged friends took part in the WALK-IT fundraiser, including Piper who was there with her human friend Darcy Howe.

Over 90 people participated in the WALK-IT for Parkinson’s event, September 11.