News
10 February, 2025
Shave, trek, find cure
Caboolture local Becki Mulcair is taking action to help patients and families affected by Parkinsons Disease, shaving her head and trekking over 54km in Nepal to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson research.
With the disease hitting close to home, with several people in her circle being affected by Parkinson's, Becki is hoping to help Shake It Up Australia raise more funds towards Parkinson's research to find ways to slow, stop, and hopefully one day cure the disease.
On top of shaving her head to help bring awareness to the fundraiser and the disease, Becki will be joining the Trek for Parkinson's 2025 team in April to trek 5,416m in Nepal, as part of the annual Annapurna Circuit trek.
Trek for Parkinson's 2025 is a collaboration between The SilverFox Initiative and Trek Ready Himalayas, with Becki shaving her head on March 22, roughly a month before leaving for Nepal.
"I always work better when I have a goal to work towards and to me, linking up with a charity or foundation makes it a lot more meaningful," she told The Sentinel.
"I've shaved my head twice previously for other charities including Leukemia and Type 1 diabetes, and it’s just an extra bit of fundraising.
"I always find that when you put your appearance on the line you generate a lot of talk around the cause and also get more donations rolling in, which is absolutely wonderful for the cause."
Becki has now hit over the halfway point of her fundraiser, hoping to raise $1,000 in total.
With over 150,000 Australians living with Parkinson's Disease and the number growing by 38 every day, with some as young as 20 years old, Becki is hoping her efforts can help improve the lives of all affected.
Becki has been running for around six years after a friend introduced her to Sweeney Runners in Petrie, who she is still involved with today.
She is also very involved with The SilverFox Foundation, a non-profit mental health organization with the tagline "mental health starts with a chat," with the idea that it is easier to talk about personal struggles and mental health while walking with someone.
To help Becki reach her goal and donate to Shake It Up Australia, visit this link.
