Thanks to the efforts of a couple dozen dedicated local residents, the 2012 Parkinson SuperWalk in Invermere was successful in raising almost double what it did the year before as well as contributing to a record-breaking province-wide total.

In 2011, the Parkinson Society of British Columbia fundraised $301,372.79 with SuperWalk events taking place across the province, from Vancouver to Nelson to Prince George. The society set a goal of $325,000 for 2012, and now that the results are in, it turns out the actual total has exceeded the goal by $257,523 for a 2012 total of $582,523.15.

“This is what I worked so hard for,” said Invermere SuperWalk organizer Grace Sander in an email. Sander was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1995. “Thanks to the generosity of the valley.”

Invermere’s Parkinson SuperWalk took place for the first time in 2011 and raised $3,731.23. With just 26 participants, the total money raised actually meant that the per capita donations were higher than those in some of the larger centres. Invermere’s 2012 SuperWalk went on to raise $6,162, this time with just 24 participants.

The third annual Parkinson SuperWalk will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at Invermere’s Pothole Park with registration opening up at 1 p.m.

Money raised directly supports the goals of Parkinson Society British Columbia, which are advocacy, education, community outreach, scientific research and public awareness. For more information, visit www.parkinson.bc.ca.