81-year-old fundraising champion raises money to fight Parkinson’s

Ted Kell

At 81 years of age, Ted Kell won’t be hanging up his walking shoes anytime soon.

The St John the Apostle parishioner has just completed his first lap around Canberra’s iconic bridge-to-bridge circuit – and raised a cool $4656 in the process.

“Actually, it was my second time around the lake,” Ted admits, eyes twinkling.

“I had to have a practice to be sure I could make it.”

Ted joined hundreds of others at Commonwealth Park on Sunday 19 May, putting his best foot forward in the Walk to Fight Parkinson’s.

The walk is a fundraiser for the Hospital Research Foundation Group and supports more than 2000 people with Parkinson’s in the ACT to live long and rewarding lives.

“I was diagnosed about three years ago,” Ted said.

“I had it for at least 12 months before that as well. I was getting a bit shaky on my feet; I was moving much slower, and it affected my memory and my speech.

After waiting six months for a neurology appointment, Ted was able to begin medication.

“It felt like I was on a slippery slide – just getting worse,” he explained.

“When I went to pick up the script, they said I would be surprised how quickly it works. And they were right. It didn’t stop everything that was happening, but it slowed it right down.”

When Ted heard about the Walk to Fight Parkinson’s, he decided to “give it a go.”

“I have done the Vinnies CEO sleepout for ten years, so I know I can raise money,” he said.

“When I registered to walk, it came up with a target of $500, and I figured if I could raise a bit more than that it would help a few more people.”

Ted said his great hope is that there will soon be a breakthrough in Parkinson’s treatment.

“There is so much research happening,” he said.

“You never know what could be right around the corner.”