David Cox joined the 80,000 Australians with Parkinson’s five years ago and now, medically retired David, his eldest son and two best friends decided to walk from Sydney to Dubbo to raise $20,000 for Shake It Up Australia for Parkinson’s research.

Every dollar raised is matched by the Michael J Fox Foundation, so suddenly $20,000 becomes $40,000.

‘Coxy’s Long Walk’ will travel through Ilford, Rylstone, Lue, Mudgee, Gulgong and Goolma, on the way through to Dubbo.

And the man himself does have connections to Mudgee - where he’ll be staying on Sunday, November 18 – through his father and grandfather, who were born in and worked in the town respectively.

As a descendant of First Fleet convicts, Mr Cox said that the Long Walk, retraces his ancestors’ journey over the last 200 years.

“We are starting in Orchard Hills, where Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson started their great expedition in 1813.  With respect and honour we will walk across the traditional lands of the Dareebin, Dharuk, Gundungurra and Wiradjuri nations, it will take us 18 days,” he said.

“Along the way we are staying in country pubs, historic cottages and community halls and plan to arrive in Dubbo on November 24th.

“The response we’ve received thus far has been quite overwhelming. We’ve had numerous offers of accommodation, meals and assistance with fundraising activities from many generous people.

“It will be challenging but a lot of fun and it’s all for a great cause.”

He added that if you see a bunch of old guys staggering along the road, please dig deep and help out with a small donation, or donate online at http://donate.grassrootz.com/shakeitupaust/our-fundraisers/coxys-long-walk.