R U OK to Walk?

Their focus might be on the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, but hockey stars Rachael Lynch and Ashleigh Nelson also have an eye on the future with a plan to attract corporate interest in their speaking talents to raise funds for charity.

They are offering to be guest speakers for any business that donates $1,000 or more to their cause.

The pair plans to walk the famous Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea later in the year in a fundraising venture on behalf of mental health awareness group R U OK?, a not-for-profit organisation which encourages the broader population to support those struggling with life’s challenges, notably those with mental illnesses that may lead them to consider suicide.

Heralding from the rural centre of Wagin and with more than 150 international caps, Ms Nelson is one of the most experienced players in the Australian side that recently came second in the hockey world cup and is preparing to defend its Commonwealth Games title in Glasgow.

She is regular blogger on Perth’s food scene and was also a 2011 Miss Universe entrant in the Western Australian heats.

Ms Lynch, a Victorian, was the goalkeeper whose skills came to the fore in a penalty shootout against the highly fancied Argentinians that put Australia in the Wold Cup final.

Both have medical backgrounds, Ms Nelson as an occupational therapist and Ms Lynch as a nurse.

Any businesses that want to ‘walk’ the Kokoda with them (figuratively speaking) can contact Ms Nelson on email@ashleighnelson.org