LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The NRL community is uniting to support Royce Simmons, the Penrith Panthers legend, as he embarks on his fourth annual "Big Walk" next month to raise funds for dementia research.
At 66, Simmons recently shared a poignant update, stating it's "only a matter of time" before dementia fully takes over his life.
Simmons boasts an impressive career, having played 238 matches for the Panthers, alongside 10 State of Origin games for NSW and 10 Tests for Australia.
He is also well-remembered for scoring two tries during the 1991 grand final, leading Penrith to victory over Canberra, reversing the outcome of the previous year's match.
In 2022, Simmons revealed his diagnosis with dementia and took immediate action by organizing 'Royce's Big Walk' through his foundation to raise awareness and funds.
This year, he will walk for 11 days, covering over 200 kilometers from Penrith to Mudgee, commencing on August 13.
He will be joined by fellow ex-players, including Terry Lamb and Luke Goodwin, and will arrive at Glen Willow Oval in Mudgee just in time for Penrith's game against Canberra in Round 25.
This match serves as a fitting tribute to Simmons, who was instrumental in Penrith's first grand final win 34 years ago.
Currently, approximately 433,000 Australians are living with dementia, and Simmons has candidly expressed that he's coming to terms with the increasing impact of the disease on his life.
He shared the struggle to recall memories, mentioning that it can take him up to half an hour each morning to piece together what he did the previous day.
Reflecting on his situation, he articulated a profound realization: "You wake up in the morning and you think to yourself, 'What did I do yesterday?' You lie there for half an hour and you think and you think and gradually you work it out.
Then I suppose the stage comes where you don't."
Through this journey, Simmons not only highlights his own battle but also brings attention to the broader issues surrounding dementia, emphasizing the urgent need for research and support.