They are about to embark on  a 10-day trek with their sons Cameron and Justin, walking the 180km Mont Blanc Circuit to raise more funds toward the specialist nurse. 

“All the money we raise stays locally in the community,” Mrs O’Connor said. “It will benefit many people within our region living with Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions. Parkinson's disease receives no government funding.

“This is an enormous project but we hope that the help of people and other organisations in the community, no matter how small, we will achieve our dream - lots of "smalls" make a "big" come true!

“We recently held the inaugural "Shakin' Cocktail Party" which was an enormous success.” 

In June, Michael, Gill and their sons will be starting in France, then walk through to Italy, then Switzerland and finally back into France - a 180km circuit over 10 days.

The trek passes through valleys and over the passes that lead down from Mont Blanc. It will not be an easy walk for Gill, Cameron and Justin, but for Michael, who has Parkinson's, it will be an enormous effort.

“We are only now just finding out that many of the passes are still covered in heavy snow, so it may very well be an even harder task than we initially thought,” Mr O’Connor said.

“We have previously done the Milford Track hike and the Kossie hike as a family and recently we have been doing training hikes in Canberra.

“I am finding the walking a lot harder now as the disease progresses, however I’m looking forward to the challenge this trek will bring.”

Mr O’Connor said they would be staying in hotels and reasonable standard accommodation on the Mont Blanc Circuit, but would be hiking up to 17 kilometres a day in often challenging conditions. There are three rest days along the way and he will be using walking poles to assist him with his mobility.

“We also intend taking photographs to document our journey,” he said.

“The more comfortable accommodation has added substantially to our costs for the trip, but this will not  impact on the money we are raising through the Everyday Hero web site.”

Many people think of Parkinson's as a disease that only affects the elderly, but 20 per cent of people diagnosed are under forty. Michael was 48 when he was diagnosed 16 years ago. They had one son in Year 7 and another still in primary school in Year 5 and it was a huge adjustment to all their lives when he had to retire four years later at just 52.

“A nurse in our region will support not only the person living with neurological conditions, but also their carers and families - they will be a connection between medical personnel and patient,” Mrs O’Connor.

“We hope to attract sponsors for our cause through our Everyday Hero webpage, with all funds received going to this very worthwhile project.

“To find the link, visit www.everydayhero.com.au, search Mick and Gill and our page (with a photo of the four of us) will be there for you to click on.

“Remember all donations through this page are tax deductible and you will get your receipt when you complete your donation.”

They have so far raised over $5000 which is about half way toward the target they have set for the trek. However they’d like to raise much more than this with the support of people in the district.