Geelong siblings James Urquhart, Alice Urquhart, and Kate Greig are following in their father Andrew Urquhart’s footsteps to raise money for Parkinson’s research. As the siblings prepare for a half-marathon in Cairns on Sunday, July 14, they speak with Jena Carr about their dad’s Parkinson’s and advocacy journey.
When Andrew Urquhart was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease more than nine years ago, he didn’t let his diagnosis stop him and began a journey of advocacy.
The Barwon Heads man has embarked on many challenging adventures with friends, known as the Monkey Mia Boys, to raise money for Parkinson’s research through the Shake It Up Foundation.
The Monkey Mia Boys are now passing the baton to Andrew’s children, James Urquhart, Alice Urquhart, and Kate Greig.
James said his dad has done a lot to raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease, with one of Monkey Mia Boys’ biggest journeys involving crossing the country on motorcycles.
“Most of the (dad’s) fundraising has been through the outback 4WD adventures he and a bunch of mates, including fellow Parkinson’s sufferer and great mate, Noel Passalaqua, have made,” he said.
“The original trip back in 2018 was made by taking the route with the least bitumen as possible from the westernmost point of Australia to the easternmost point, being Monkey Mia (Western Australia) to Byron Bay (New South Wales).
“Hence the name Monkey Mia Boys was born. Over the following six years and four trips criss-crossing the country, the Monkey Mia Boys have raised over $260,000 for Shake It Up.”
The siblings will follow in their dad’s footsteps as the Monkey Mia Kids and travel 2800km from their homes in Geelong to participate in the Cairns half-marathon on Sunday, July 14.
Kate said that she and her siblings felt as prepared for the half-marathon as possible and were looking forward to doing the run together.
“The competitive spirit is strong between us, with plenty of photos and run statistics being shared post-run,” she said.
“Whilst we all live in Geelong, it’s quite rare that we get to spend much time as the three of us together, so that’s also been nice.
“We started pounding the pavement as much as we could, trying to get a decent ‘longer run’ in on the weekend and a few shorter ones during the week.
“We have nine kids between us, so a big thanks goes to our – very patient – other halves letting us head out for a few hours each weekend to get the kilometres in our legs.”
Alice said her dad had been a “real inspiration” for the whole family, and she was glad to continue his legacy.
“Dad’s own passion and dedication to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s has inspired us beyond words,” she said.
“Since Dad’s diagnosis, not once has he let his condition bring him down or define him, but he’s fought his own battle with strength, courage and unselfish determination to help make a difference.
“We know now because we’re watching first-hand how Parkinson’s can affect people. Sadly, it’s just such a growing disease, and so many Australians are affected by it every single day.
“Dad has continually made it about others and not him, but he’s also so proactive in everything he does. He’s always doing all the things he’s supposed to do.
“He keeps fit, active, and social, which are really great things to do for Parkinson’s disease, and he’s never stopped doing anything.
“It’s amazing to see that now with his own diagnosis, it’s something he’s continued to do, and he’s turned his own negative into a positive for so many others.”
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive and degenerative neurological condition affecting the control of someone’s body movements.
Alice said her dad was one of the most selfless people she and her siblings had ever known, even before his diagnosis.
“We grew up in the bush and Dad has always been a huge contributor to the community,” she said.
“(He’s been) on every local board or committee and volunteering his time by helping to save the local hospital or rebuild the community golf club.
“Everything he does is always for everybody else, and that’s been the case in his life before he was even diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. So, to see this sense of giving take on a whole new life through his Parkinson’s is true to form, but it is something we’re constantly in awe of.”
Parkinson’s disease affects close to 200,000 Australians, with 38 people diagnosed every day, according to Shake It Up Foundation’s data.
James, Alice and Kate collectively said they were “incredibly proud” of how their dad turned his story into a way to help others.
“If we can play our small part in raising money for research, and to help find a cure, we’re on board,” they said.
“We know that Dad is one of so many suffering from Parkinson’s disease in Australia, and sadly, it’s a growing number. There’s something very warm and fuzzy about knowing the Foundation is run by a great bunch of passionate, dedicated, and genuine people.”
The Monkey Mia Kids are the 7Cairns Marathon Festival’s top fundraising team, having already raised more than $60,000 for Shake It Up Australia.
The family has also been holding bake sales leading up to the half-marathon to raise additional funds for the foundation.
Visit cmf24.grassrootz.com/shakeitup/monkey-mia-kids-run-cairns to help James, Alice, and Kate raise money for Parkinson’s research.
