"This cause is very close to my heart as my uncle John was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease just over 10 years ago," Hayley said.

"Uncle Johnny has always been a very active person and an active member of the community. He was a highly successful competitive squash player and footballer. He was also president of the Belconnen Magpies Football Club, and a local businessman.

"All of this came to a halt with the Parkinson's diagnosis and the subsequent decline caused by the debilitating disease."

Hayley said she was honoured to be involved in an event aimed at raising funds and awareness for Parkinson's ACT.

"Parkinson's ACT have been an incredible support, providing services and activities for Uncle Johnny, along with many other local Canberrans living with Parkinson's, including early onset," Hayley said.

"These activities have dramatically improved his and many others' quality of life, but they need the support of and donations from the local community to fund their amazing work."

A Walk in the Park starts at Rond Terrace by Lake Burley Griffin on October 20.

There will be the traditional walk in the park event, a 1.5-kilometre "walk, roll or stroll", and a five-kilometre bridge-to-bridge run or walk, as well as Australia's first officially timed Nordic Walking race.

On the day, registrations start at 8.30am. The event opens at 9.30am and the walks and races start at 10.20am.

Details and registration for the walk are available at parkinsonsact.org.au.

Parkinson's ACT also welcomes anyone who would like to donate or offer sponsorship. Please contact them at actparkinsons@gmail.com.

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative movement and mood disorder typically presenting with symptoms such as slowness of movement, muscle rigidity, instability, tremor, depression and anxiety. There is no known cure, but there are treatment and therapy options that can help manage symptoms for some years as the condition progresses.

Funds raised by the Walk in the Park will enable Parkinson's ACT to continue to provide and expand its services. Those services focus on aspects of Parkinson's which cannot be addressed medically, such as dancing to exercise muscles and singing to help with swallowing,

It also conducts seminars and workshops. Its newest group is Young@Park to accommodate people with early onset Parkinson's.