Mandurah residents keep your eyes open for a unique chance to see Hockeyroos stars Ash Nelson and Rach Lynch in action, this time riding a bike.
The hockey stars will be leading the way on a 725km ride from Perth to Albany to raise awareness and funds for not-for-profit R U OK?’s suicide prevention programs, through the Ride for Wheelbeing initiative.
The team of 15 cyclists will leave Perth on Thursday morning, with their first stop in being Pinjarra on Thursday afternoon.
Former West Coast Eagles player Chad Fletcher, and Hockeyroos Teneal Attard and Marnie Hudson will also be joining in for the ride.
The team has already raised $10,000 for the charity which would be used to develop school, workplace and community resources and tool-kits.
Throughout their week-long trip, the team will visit hockey coaching clinics and schools, and will deliver community talks on suicide prevention.
The aim of the campaign is to encourage people to check if their mates and loved ones are struggling with life on a regular basis, particularly in rural communities.
“As someone that grew up on a farm I know first hand how hard it can be for some people to open up and ask for help,” Ms Nelson said.
“Rural communities often lack resources and many just struggle on in silence.
“Death by suicide is particularly high in Western Australia and part of this trip will be about enabling these communities to support each other and check in more regularly.”
Ms Lynch said she felt optimistic about the ride’s success.
“While it’s been a big job pulling together 15 inexperienced, mis-matched people and trying to coordinate the logistics of the ride, I think we are going to achieve some really great things along the way,” she said.
R U OK? chief Brendan Maher congratulated both stars for their involvement.
“This is just another amazing example of Ash and Rachael’s dedication to R U OK?,” he said.
“The work they have put into coordinating this ride is huge and I have no doubt they will connect with and inspire people in these rural communities, in the best possible way.”
Along the ride, food and supplies will be provided by local Coles supermarkets.
The riding team will arrive to Pinjarra Primary School for a visit and community talk at 2.45pm on Thursday, and to Mandurah Crossfit at 6pm.
To donate to the Ride for Wheelbeing go to rideforwheelbeing.gofundraise.com.au.