Walking the Welland Canal, together

How Bob McNamara and his dog, Clancy, turned a daily routine into $3,000 for SuperWalk.

For Bob McNamara, walking isn’t a task to cross off a list—it’s a daily rhythm. Every day, rain or shine, the retired St. Catharines native heads out for 10 to 15 kilometres with his dog, Clancy, who treats every body of water along the route as a personal swimming hole and keeps pace step for step.

“She’s my baby,” Bob says with a laugh.

So when Bob decided to support Parkinson Canada’s annual SuperWalk, turning that daily routine into a fundraising trek along the Welland Canal felt like the natural next step.

Family ties

Bob grew up as one of eight siblings in a close-knit St. Catharines family. Their father worked on the Welland Canal for 30 years, and its waterways and trails have been part of the family ever since.

Ten years ago, Bob’s sister Cheryl noticed an unexpected twitch in her baby finger. Soon after, she received a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

“It was quick and shocking,” Bob recalls. “No one in our family ever had Parkinson’s. But Cheryl faced it head-on right away.”

Rather than shrinking into the diagnosis, Cheryl chose movement. She joined a Rock Steady Boxing program, driving herself to sessions three times a week while continuing to tend her Niagara farm.

“The exercise has helped her immensely,” Bob says. “If you sit still, it’s going to take you over. Cheryl keeps moving.”

Cheryl’s Shakers

She formed a local SuperWalk team, Cheryl’s Shakers, that quickly grew into one of Niagara’s top fundraising teams.

Wanting to support his sister’s team and raise awareness in his hometown, Bob decided to walk the Welland Canal Trail from end to end—from Lock 1 in St. Catharines to Lock 8 in Port Colborne—and then walk it back.

Breaking the journey into several days, Bob packed his gear and plenty of water and treats for Clancy before hitting the trail. Local businesses along the route stepped up right away, covering his meals and lodging while contributing directly to Cheryl’s Shakers. On a punishing uphill stretch near Thorold, family members drove out to scoop up Clancy for a rest in the air conditioning while Bob kept pushing the pace.

“Once I got started, looking for sponsors and getting the word out was all I wanted to do each day,” Bob says. “The support from the local community was incredible.”

Bob originally set a modest fundraising goal, but as donations poured in from friends and neighbours, he doubled his target to $3,000. Every dollar went directly to Cheryl’s Shakers, helping support Parkinson Canada’s research and support programs.

Finding your own rhythm

Bob’s advice for families navigating a new Parkinson’s diagnosis is simple: don’t panic, and focus on what you can do.

“Don’t think it’s the end of the world right off the bat,” Bob says. “Look into what you can do to help manage symptoms. Find a hobby, explore exercise programs, and stay connected with family.”

Whether it’s stepping into the boxing ring like Cheryl or walking the Welland Canal with Clancy by his side, finding a way to keep moving can help people manage Parkinson’s symptoms while building confidence and connection. The rhythm may be different for everyone. What matters is continuing to move and knowing you don’t have to do it alone.

Get moving for SuperWalk 2026

Every SuperWalk step helps fund Parkinson Canada’s research, advocacy and community support programs across Canada.

• Support Cheryl’s Shakers: Donate to Bob and Cheryl’s SuperWalk Team 

• Find a Walk Near You: Join thousands of walkers across the country this September for Parkinson Canada’s SuperWalk. Register or learn more.