Sharon keeps the ‘fun’ in fundraising to support the Parkinson’s community
If there are two things Sharon loves, it’s trivia and supporting those she loves, so it just made sense for her to combine the two.
Parkinson’s has been part of Sharon’s life for nearly two decades, since her father’s diagnosis in 2005.
Since then, she has been actively involved in supporting those living with Parkinson’s, participating in walks and fundraising events to raise money and awareness.
Sharon’s latest venture, a trivia night fundraiser, brought together a community eager to support Fight Parkinson’s.
A personal connection to Parkinson’s
Shortly after her father’s diagnosis, Sharon wanted to learn more about Parkinson’s, only familiar with the condition through Michael J. Fox’s advocacy. This led her to Fight Parkinson’s, where she discovered various initiatives supporting individuals and families affected by the condition.
“When Dad was diagnosed, I started researching as much as I could,” Sharon said.
“That’s how I found out about Fight Parkinson’s and the walks they organise. It felt right to support an organisation that was local to us and providing valuable assistance.”
Putting the fun into fundraising
Sharon already loved people and trivia, and after participating in virtual trivia nights through lockdowns, she had the idea to host her own event to support a cause close to her heart.
“I thought, why not host a fun event and turn it into a fundraiser?” she recalled.
“I wanted to do something enjoyable while also supporting Fight Parkinson’s.”
Organising a new event
Sharon meticulously planned the trivia night to ensure a smooth experience, charging $30 entry to raise funds, topping up the overall pool with extra games such as ‘toss the coin’.
“We had an incredible mix of extravagant prizes and smaller fun items, all donated by generous people,” Sharon explained. “The games added an extra layer of fun and people were happy to contribute.”
Growing the Parkinson’s community
The event exceeded all expectations. Sharon’s father, the inspiration behind the event, was in attendance and received overwhelming support.
“My dad doesn’t move as much anymore, but he sat in what we called his ‘king’s chair’ and had an absolute ball,” Sharon shared.
“The event was for him but it wasn’t about him, and that’s what made it so special.”
Sharon also used the opportunity to educate attendees about Parkinson’s, sharing stories beyond her father’s journey.
“Most people know about Michael J. Fox and Muhammad Ali but there are so many others,” she said.
“It was eye-opening for many guests to realise how widespread Parkinson’s is.”
Parkinson’s community shows up in droves
Sharon hoped to raise $1,000 but by the end of the night, they had collected over $6,000.
“We completely exceeded our expectations,” she said. “It reaffirmed how generous people can be when given the chance to support a cause.”
The event also strengthened the community. Now, with one successful fundraiser behind her, Sharon is already thinking about the next one and how she can help more people learn about Parkinson’s.
“Even if people don’t have a direct connection to Parkinson’s, events like this bring them into the conversation,” she said. “It’s about making people aware of the challenges faced by those living with Parkinson’s and their families.”
A message of hope and gratitude
For Sharon, the night reinforced the importance of community and togetherness. She acknowledged the struggles her mother faces as a carer and the overwhelming reality of Parkinson’s.
“Sometimes, we get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget the power of coming together for a good cause,” she said. “This night reminded me just how much of an impact we can make when we support each other.”
As she looks toward the future, one thing is certain: Sharon’s commitment to fight Parkinson’s and supporting her father remains stronger than ever.