If there is anything Anthony Anderson and his family has learnt in the past two months, it is that.

Mr Anderson, a born and bred Port Stephens man, has lived with Parkinson’s for the past eight years.

The progress of the disease during that time has forced him to step back from the many community roles he has held during the past 30 years, including mowing the grass at Fern Bay park.

His condition has now come to a point where the medication he takes has limited effect.

The next step for Mr Anderson is deep brain stimulation surgery, which will put the family out of pocket $35,000.

To help raise the amount, the Anderson family has set up a GoFundMe page and begun organising a number of fundraisers.

But already the Fern Bay, Port Stephens and wider Newcastle communities are rallying around Mr Anderson.

Residents and groups have begun donating money to Mr Anderson by way of saying thanks for all the community work he has undertaken.

“A few people have said to me that this [donation] is giving back for what you’ve done in the community,” Mr Anderson said.

“I feel incredibly humbled by people saying “you deserve this”.

“It goes to show that you need to treat people with respect. Because when things like this happen, people will repay that respect.”

Deep brain stimulation surgery involves implanting a device into the brain of a person with Parkinson’s that will send electrical impulses, through electrodes, to specific parts of the brain.

It is not a cure for Parkinson’s, but a way to “level out” a patient’s symptoms and improve their quality of life.

For Mr Anderson, deep brain stimulation surgery, if successful, will mean he can continue the Christmas lolly run he set up for Fern Bay children about six years ago.

Mr Anderson said the lolly run was his “pride and joy”.

It will also mean he can keep up with his three children and seven young grandchildren.

Or continue being an active member of the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council and the business, Mur-RooMa Inc, he started with wife Shirley.

Port Stephens Celtic Association has donated $400 to Mr Anderson’s cause.

The association donates money to Tomaree Community Hospital and various cancer charities each year, but decided to help Mr Anderson based on his standing in the community.

“We’ve known Anthony to be a great community participant for many years and we felt he was worthy of supporting,” Ron Swan, president of the Celtic association, said.

On Friday, $3500 had been donated to the GoFundMe page.

A benefit night will be held for Mr Anderson at Murrook Culture Centre, Williamtown in March 2017.