‘Run Burwood Run’ builds connection and raises awareness

‘Run Burwood Run’ was a multi-run series designed to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s NSW, while creating community connection.

Dean Laws was Westfield Burwood’s Local Hero in 2025. He is described as inspirational, relentless and adaptive in his support of Parkinson’s NSW.

Dean lives with Parkinson’s Disease. Since his diagnosis, Dean has raised more than $166,000 for Parkinson’s NSW, a non-for-profit dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with the condition.

“Parkinson’s NSW gave me my life back!” Dean explains. “When I contacted Parkinson’s NSW in 2019, they knew exactly how to help, enabling me to access the therapies I needed to combat this challenging disease.”  

Ever since experiencing health improvements, Dean has been helping other patients and their families by fundraising with ‘The Dean Team’ – a group that trains together for special sporting events – and by sharing his own journey of exercise.  

Andrew Wolfe, Senior Marketing Manager at Westfield Burwood said: “The relationship we have built with Dean since he was announced as our 2025 Westfield Local Hero has created new opportunities for us to connect with and enrich our local community.

“We now know that there is an estimated 400 people living with Parkinson’s Disease in our local Burwood community.

“With this additional insight into our local community’s needs and through our relationship with Dean, we created ‘Run Burwood Run’ as a new avenue for community connection, support and awareness.

“Over the course of three events we had 120 serious runners, social joggers and stroller rollers join The Dean Team for a 5km course through Burwood Park – and together we raised over $4,000.

“Retail partners, including Nike, rebel and The Athletes Foot, provided $5,000 worth of prizes for runners, allowing them a unique opportunity to engage with a highly targeted audience.

“Seeing competitors head into Westfield Burwood after each race for a coffee and some breakfast with new friends highlighted our role as a community hub and the opportunities our Westfield Local Heroes program creates for us to give back, connect and enrich our local communities.

“We now have plans underway to roll out a summer series, which is really exciting.”