One of the Penrith Panthers’ greatest players Royce Simmons, ambassador for and resident at Tulich Family Communities’ The Royce retirement community in Penrith, 55km west of Sydney’s CBD, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Now ‘Simmo’ is using the public revelation of his diagnosis to try to enhance the lives of others, with a bid to raise $100,000 for Dementia Australia. The Royce was named after Penrith’s favourite son.
The inaugural Royce’s Big Walk will depart his Central NSW home village of Gooloogong on Tuesday 17 May. After a journey of almost 300 kilometres, Royce plans to cross the finish line at BlueBet Stadium in Penrith on Friday 27 May, just in time for kick-off in the Panthers’ NRL game against North Queensland Cowboys.
According to a statement from the Panthers, Simmons revealed the issue came to the surface during a weekend away at Kiama, south of Wollongong, when he couldn’t remember his wife of 40 years Liane buying a bottle of wine at a bottle shop, while he was sitting in the car.
The 61-year-old went to get his brain scanned and was told of the diagnosis.
“I took my grandkids aside and spoke to them, that was so hard,” he said. “Trying to tell them that Pop won’t know them in a few years, that it’s not my fault, all of those sorts of things were really hard.”
Already more than $26,600 has been raised towards the $100,000 target. If you wish to donate, click here.
