Rotary Ride2Rescue
A BIKE RIDE (PEDAL POWER) 26000KM LONDON TO MELBOURNE 27 COUNTRIES
Four friends started this ride on the 30th April, 2011 and expect to arrive at Federation Square, Melbourne on the 1st July, 2012.
Why you ask? ADVENTURE
TO RAISE AWARENESS OF CHILD TRAFFICKING
TO RAISE MONEY TO SUPPORT THIS CAUSE
The UNITED NATIONS defines child trafficking as the recruitment, transportation or receipt of children with the purpose of exploiting them. Victims of child trafficking are often sold for as little as $10.00 into prostitution, factory labour or servants in private homes, or as solders in war zones.
UNITED NATIONS statistics indicate the underlying cause of child trafficking include poverty, lack of economic opportunities, the low social status of girls, high demand for commercial sex and cheap labour, weak law enforcement, discrimination and conflict. Child trafficking is one of the most profitable industries worldwide ranking alongside the gun and drug trades.
An estimated 100,000 children and women are trafficked each year in Indonesia, according to UNICEF.
In an effort to increase the global awareness and raise money to fight child exploitation, abuse and trafficking, and to assist with the rehabilitation of children so exposed four young Australians have embarked on this epic ride – they are the Ride2Rescue team.
The riders planned their route and made adjustments as required along the way. Most days they would ride 80-100 kilometres, there has been the occasional day when they have ridden over 200 kilometres a day, rest days have been included in their schedule. Along the journey other people, family and friends have joined them to share this experience. Support has shown itself in many and varied ways, some people providing the Ride2Rescue team with a place to sleep – this might be on vacant land, in their home or providing five star accommodation free of charge. Many people have provided food, water, entertainment and lots of encouragement, this all enables the riders to further their cause.
The Ride2Rescue team have visited schools and orphanages, attended meetings and conferences, been interviewed for local and national media (newspaper, TV & radio) while keeping their website up to date.
Recently the Rotary Club of Penang welcomed the Ride2Rescue team along with 300 local cyclists. The Ride2Rescue team were escorted to the Penang Royal Hotel for a fundraising event. The day’s events raised $2200.00. The CEO of World Vision Malaysia gratefully accepted this donation. The following day the Ride2Rescue team were guests of the Rotary Club of Penang along with visitors from the UK and Australia. The team shared their experiences and continued to further their cause with a presentation regarding child trafficking.
Sting and Trudie Styler are patrons of the Ride.
Sponsors include QATAR AIRLINES, SWISSE, NINEMSM, HARD ROCK CAFE, BOWENS TIMBER & SEVRON.
You can follow this epic journey on their website www.ride2rescue.com.au or on Facebook or Twitter.
How do I know about this? One of the riders Daniel Seehusen is my nephew. I am sure he will make a great guest speaker for Rotary on his return.
Ian Symons,
