In October, the Gunnedah woman will take on 96 kilometres over nine days to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. She will be joined by 12 other women from around Australia on the Kokoda Chicks Challenge.

Ms Hatch said she walked the Kokoda Trail five years ago and doing it again was on her “bucket list”. When she started exploring options in April, she found the dates lined up with her annual leave.

“I had some holidays booked in October and was looking for what I could do,” she said.

“Kokoda Chicks Trek coincided with my holidays, so I thought it would be a good idea to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation and walk in the footsteps of the heroes that fought up there.”

Ms Hatch said she has been preparing for the trek since April, hiking with a loaded day pack on the weekends, and increasing her fitness with strengthening sessions during the week.

The local said she is looking forward to walking the trail a second time.

“The first time [on the trail] was amazing,” she said. 

“There was so much to take in. I sort of need to go again.

“I’ve been counting down since I signed on.”

Supported by her employer, Mackellar Care Services, Ms Hatch has already raised almost $2500 through a raffle, donations and five cent pieces collected by residents, visitors and staff.

The aged care facility hope to have enough coins to line the Remembrance Walk at the Alkira campus on August 30 at 9.30am.

- National Breast Cancer Foundation