He’s off again … True Blue Royce Simmons is undertaking a third long-distance walk to race funds for dementia research.
Diagnosed with the early stages of the illness himself late in 2021, Simmons led the first ‘Royce’s Big Walk’ from his home in Gooloongong to Penith in May 2022 raising more than $1 million over the 300km.
Last year he walked 315km from Dubbo to Bathurst to support the more than 421,000 people – and their families - in Australia who currently have dementia.
This year Royce’s Big Walk will start on Tuesday 6 August and move across the Sydney metropolitan area, making stops at NRL clubs, before finishing on Thursday 15 August at BlueBet Stadium for the Penrith Panthers Round 24 match against Melbourne Storm.
The former Penrith premiership-winning captain, who played 14 Tests for Australia and 10 Origins for NSW, will pass the NSWRL Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park on 7 August, followed by visits to Wests Tigers, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, St George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
He will again be joined by many former Panthers teammates, True Blues and Kangaroos players.
He has launched the Royce Simmons Foundation with a mission to elevate awareness and fund crucial research initiatives into dementia.
“We are excited to embark on the third year of Royce's Big Walk,” Simmons said in a statement.
“Through this event, we aim to not only raise funds for critical research but also to foster a sense of unity and purpose.
“Together, we can drive meaningful change and bring us closer to finding a cure.”
Royce’s Big Walk in 2024 will feature an exciting raffle, where participants can enter for a chance to win ‘beer for a year’ courtesy of Tooheys.
Purchase a raffle ticket for just $10 to enter the draw.
Click here for more information on the walk and to buy tickets.
