Proud Noongar Yamatji woman and former AFLW star Kirby Bentley will walk 150 kilometres this August as a 2025 ambassador for Fred's Big Run; raising funds for preventable vision loss.
Fred's Big Run is an annual online fitness challenge from August 1 to August 31. It was launched during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 by the Fred Hollows Foundation, a leading development NGO aiming to fund sight-saving surgeries, train local eye health workers, and deliver essential eye care in over 25 countries, including Australia.
Now, in 2025, Fred's Big Run has become one of The Fred Hollows Foundation's most successful virtual fundraisers, inspiring over 30,000 participants to move for a cause, raising close to $8 million and covering 3.4 million kilometres.
One of this year's ambassadors is Ms Bentley, a former AFLW player and Survivor AU contestant known for her advocacy for First Nations women and children in sports.
Her advocacy extends beyond the football field. She is also an ambassador for Djirra, a not-for-profit supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by family violence, as well as co-founder of renewable energy company Djookian alongside her best friend, Leah Kaslar.
"As an Aboriginal person, as an Aboriginal woman, we're up against nearly everyone in society. And that's not because that's where we choose to be, it's where society puts us, and it's unfortunate because there's so much that we can offer as women and as people," Ms Bentley said.
That disadvantage is also reflected in health. According to the Fred Hollows Foundation, 90 per cent of vision loss among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults is preventable or treatable. Ms Bentley believes improving healthcare access is vital for First Nations communities, and is a key motivation for her participation in Fred's Big Run.
"I'm passionate about creating equal opportunities, and that starts with access, including healthcare and vision services. Too many in our communities are living with preventable vision loss," she said.
"So many of our people aren't aware that their vision impairment or their blindness could have been prevented or is still preventable, and I think it's important that we build that sort of awareness.
"Fred's Big Run is a powerful way to change that, and I'm proud to be part of it. I hope others will join me in the fight to restore sight."
She praised the Foundation's approach to First Nations communities: "The care and services they provide to remote communities and across to all of our people is really impactful and powerful…So it's just knowing that we can go somewhere that is culturally safe, is important."
Speaking of her new ambassadorship for Fred's Big Run, Ms Bentley said: "I feel like it's a privilege to be able to help share the message."
"It's also new to me as well, and the more that I've read up on what the Foundation does, I think it is really important that we do advocate and we do share and we do talk more."
When asked why she'll walk, not run, Ms Bentley said: "I feel like walking is a great starting point for people, especially if you don't do a lot of activity, which is probably me in my retirement."
"You can walk with other people, and that's where you can have your conversations and bring more to the table with what the program is about," she said.
Alison Hill, Brand and Communications Director at The Fred Hollows Foundation, commended Ms Bentley's involvement.
"Kirby is a powerful, thoughtful leader with deep community connections and a strong commitment to equality. Her partnership with Fred's Big Run will shine a much-needed spotlight on the urgent issue of preventable blindness, particularly in Indigenous communities," Ms Hill said.
"We're thrilled to have her on board and look forward to the impact she'll undoubtedly make."
Join Kirby Bentley and move with meaning this August. Register for free at fredsbigrun.org.
