A group of walkers clocked up 40km in nine hours from Laurieton’s North Brother mountain to the Port Macquarie Town Green on Saturday to raise money and awareness for the cause.

Retired TAFE teacher and enthusiastic walker Jill Gorrie said the walkers had a great time.

“We were on such a high when we arrived,” she said.

Supporters spurred on the walkers as they skirted the coastline.

Mrs Gorrie said the walk’s success was twofold – the fundraising and boosting awareness.

She hopes the walkers have raised a total of more than $8000.

Donations can be made online at http://ParkinsonsNSW.gofundraise.com.au/page/JillG until May 13 or by contacting Jill Gorrie on gorrie@bigpond.net.au

Port Macquarie Parkinson’s Support Group honorary publicity officer Gregg Faulkner said a large gathering of friends and support group members greeted the walkers at the Town Green and congratulated them on their fundraising effort.

“Of course much more is needed, so the [Port Macquarie Parkinson’s Support Group] will continue fundraising, with all money collected being held in trust by Parkinson’s NSW until a nurse is provided in this region,” he said.

The Mid North Coast Local Health District has collaborated with North Coast Medicare Local and residential aged care facilities to submit a funding application for a trial of a specialist Parkinson’s nurse in the health district.

About 350 people in the Hastings live with Parkinson’s disease, a progressively degenerative neurological disorder.

Mrs Gorrie’s mother Gwen Thompson is one of them.

The nearest specialist support is at Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital.