Jenny Bates: Treasurer and Trustee Along with my husband Steve, we own and publish two local newspapers - the Waimea and Nelson Weeklies.
My background is nursing, although I completed a commerce degree in Business and Finance in 1996. Prior to moving to Richmond with Steve and our son Stanley in 2005 to start the Waimea Weekly, I worked as a project manager for 12 years with the Ministry of Health. 
Anne-Marie Teece: Secretary and Trustee Prior to having children, I worked in an accountant’s office. I have since worked as a bank teller for a short time and spent 20 years listing and selling real estate, which I loved.
I have 3 grown up children and adorable 8 year old twin grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, cycling and walking. As I am no longer in the workforce, I felt I wanted to give a little time and energy to the community. After several meetings with teachers, principals and other women keen to do the same as myself, Walk With Us evolved and has shown there is a real necessity in the Nelson/Tasman region to discreetly provide children with adequate school/sports shoes. 
Jill Taylor: Trustee I was born in Nelson in 1954 and raised in Motueka. I trained to be a teacher in Wellington in the 70’s , taught in Nelson schools for 5 years before having family. I am married to Paul, a mother of 2 adult children and a grandmother.
I joined the Nelson Toy Library founding committee in 1985. In 1989 I became an executive member of the NZ Toy Library Federation Board of Trustees, working as the newsletter editor. In the 1990’s I was elected to the Nelson Central School Board of Trustees where I managed the Community group. I was elected to the position of chairperson before resigning in 1996. My connection to early childhood started in 1989 with teaching and administration positions in a newly opened, purpose built centre . In 1996 I went into business with 4 other woman and founded The Childcare Company Ltd of which I was one of the directors. I sold up and retired in 2018. My interest in children, their education and welfare has been the driver in my choices of paid and voluntary work and this continues with the Walk With Us trust. 
Sue Cross: President and Trustee I am thrilled to be a Trustee of 'Walk With Us' and over the years have seen first hand the need for children to feel like their peers with shoes they feel proud to own.
Classed as a local girl, I was born and schooled in Ranzau and Richmond where I really enjoyed a rural family life, consequently marrying and having two delightful children and several grandchildren. Until recently I worked in real estate which I did for 21 years and have witnessed the needs in our community. No I have more time to help with this very worthy cause. |
Helen Ruston: Trustee
Born and raised in Nelson, I have lived here most of my life, I am married to Selwyn and we have 5 amazing children between us.
I have worked in local real estate since 2001, marketing and selling homes, sections and lifestyle property, a career that has given me a
huge sense of gratitude, pride and respect for what we have in this beautiful part of the country.
It is an absolute privilege to be involved with the Walk With Us Charitable Trust, we can physically see that providing new school and sports shoes to those who can't quite do it on their own, can make the world of difference to our younger generation.
It is so heartwarming to receive the thank you letters and cards and the sincere appreciation we hear from parents, grandparents, caregivers and teachers shows us we are needed, which is exactly what we want to be!
I have worked in local real estate since 2001, marketing and selling homes, sections and lifestyle property, a career that has given me a
huge sense of gratitude, pride and respect for what we have in this beautiful part of the country.
It is an absolute privilege to be involved with the Walk With Us Charitable Trust, we can physically see that providing new school and sports shoes to those who can't quite do it on their own, can make the world of difference to our younger generation.
It is so heartwarming to receive the thank you letters and cards and the sincere appreciation we hear from parents, grandparents, caregivers and teachers shows us we are needed, which is exactly what we want to be!
Jill Dew: Trustee
Happily married to Gary, a mum of four now adult children and a nana to one.
I've enjoyed many varied occupations over the years from Office Administration through to Corporate Management. I have also had governance roles within the education and sporting sectors. I'm presently devoting my latter years to Canine grooming, a passionate self employed role of the last seven years.
I'm an active sportsperson and love the outdoor lifestyle.
When asked to come on board the 'Walk with us charitable trust', I feel I now have the extra time available to be able to offer help for those in need.
I've enjoyed many varied occupations over the years from Office Administration through to Corporate Management. I have also had governance roles within the education and sporting sectors. I'm presently devoting my latter years to Canine grooming, a passionate self employed role of the last seven years.
I'm an active sportsperson and love the outdoor lifestyle.
When asked to come on board the 'Walk with us charitable trust', I feel I now have the extra time available to be able to offer help for those in need.
Bridgette Pretty: Trustee
I come from a Murchison farming background where I grew up with my sisters and foster children. My early career years were spent in a family hospitality business in Richmond followed by a successful corporate accounting career in Australia, when I moved back to New Zealand I formed my own public practice in Motueka and Nelson.
I live within the Motueka community, simply the best town in the world, and it is very cool to be part of the positive Walk with Us team which gives me the opportunity to give back to my local and the wider regional communities.
My motto is that you should have a laugh every day, even if it is at yourself!
Paula Brophy: Trustee |
I was born in Nelson and completed my schooling here, then went on to a working life in retail and insurance broking.
I moved from Nelson to Christchurch in early 1967, followed by 4 years in Timaru, where our two daughters where born, we then moved to Dunedin for 17 years and returned to Nelson in early 1991.
I worked in the insurance industry until I retired in 2016 and after retiring, I have been able to give back to the community with more time and focus, particularly with under privileged children, volunteering at the Breakfast Club, Red Cross, St Vincent De Paul, Hospice and the Walk with Us Trust.
My interests include gardening, floral art and interior design, I love sport and played netball and basketball for many years, I enjoy following sports which now includes watching my grandchildren!
I moved from Nelson to Christchurch in early 1967, followed by 4 years in Timaru, where our two daughters where born, we then moved to Dunedin for 17 years and returned to Nelson in early 1991.
I worked in the insurance industry until I retired in 2016 and after retiring, I have been able to give back to the community with more time and focus, particularly with under privileged children, volunteering at the Breakfast Club, Red Cross, St Vincent De Paul, Hospice and the Walk with Us Trust.
My interests include gardening, floral art and interior design, I love sport and played netball and basketball for many years, I enjoy following sports which now includes watching my grandchildren!
