Despite having launched their project only in mid-March, Jenni and Dave Fergus, and Eileen Fleming look certain to achieve their goal of $12,000 for Shake It Up Australia Foundation.

Yesterday about 40 people enjoyed morning tea, a silent auction, plant sales and more at Mary Help of Christians Church on Hillvue Road to boost that total closer.

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“We’ll be ecstatic if we reach our target, bearing in mind that for every dollar we raise for Shake it Up Australia Foundation, the Michael J Fox Foundation matches that dollar,” Mrs Fergus said.

“So for the $12,000 we raise, it will be $24,000 for research in Australia.”

Mrs Fergus said the money raised so far had really only been through word of mouth via friends and Tamworth Parkinson’s Support Group members.

Those people’s local service clubs had even pitched in up to $1500 each.

“I only said to people: ‘Who are your contacts?’ … It’s been just overwhelming,” Mrs Fergus said.

“It’s grown like Topsy.

“We certainly didn’t expect to get $12,000.”

The three will be walking the last 100km leg of the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage in northern Spain as another way to raise funds.

Future events will include a soup and damper day, and an exercise day.