For the seventh year, Orange is once again hosting the Walk 4 Hope for Huntington’s Disease, aimed at raising awareness and essential funds to support those affected by the debilitating neurological condition.

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder that progressively turns off a person’s ability to think, plan, speak, swallow, and walk.

Each child of a person with HD has a 50 per cent chance of developing it. Onset is typically around 35-50 years of age and currently, there is no cure.

There are around 750 people around NSW and ACT living with Huntington’s Disease, and given the hereditary nature, another 2,500 are at risk.

The Walk 4 Hope was created in 2014 with the aim to raise both awareness and funds to support families impacted by HD. It’s also an opportunity for people to stand in support and show that people with Huntington’s Disease are not alone in their battle.

This year in Orange, the Walk 4 Hope will begin and end in Robertson Park on Sunday, September 24 and local coordinator Rachael Brooking invites everyone to get involved.

“Each year it's growing and we're hoping to get a really great turnout!” Rachael said.

Registrations will be taken in Robertson Park from 10am, with the four-kilometre walk departing at 11am.

“We do a lap of the main street and then finish with another lap of the park,” Rachael said.

“And so this year we’ve got a bit of entertainment… We've got some young brass players that are going to entertain us, and we've got Tribal Fusion dancers… the Orange Pipe Band are going to pipe us out of the park and, on our return, Cameron Sharp is going to be entertaining us while we have our picnic lunch.” 

There’ll be a free sausage sizzle put on by the Rotary Club, a coffee van, raffles, and merchandise for sale, Rachael said..

Community fundraising and donations make up over 40 per cent of Huntington’s NSW ACT non-NDIS income and the Walk 4 Hope is a very large part of this.

Rachael said to make sure that you wear comfortable walking shoes, bring bottles of water and money for raffles.

You should also bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and appropriate outdoor weather clothing (in case of rain), she added.

Walk 4 Hope for Huntington’s Disease will depart Robertson Park at 11am on Sunday, September 24. Register from 10am on the day or online by scanning the QR code. https://www.facebook.com/huntingtonsdiseaseawareness/