Sofia – London ‘Freedom Challenge’ bike ride to combat people trafficking
The Freedom Challenge bicycle ride started in the Bulgarian capital city Sofia on October 6 2013, headed for London in an 11-day event aimed at raising awareness and funds to combat people trafficking.
A team of brave and determined cyclists will ride through trafficking routes and mountainous regions from Sofia to London to raise awareness both in countries where many young women and children are taken, as well as to raise $210 000 for The A21 Campaign shelters and victim assistance programmes, according to the event’s website.
In 2008, Nick and Christine Caine founded The A21 Campaign, an anti-human-trafficking organisation that is dedicated to abolishing slavery in the 21st century.
A21 has a global presence around the world with offices in Greece, Ukraine, Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Australia, the United States and South Africa.
The A21 Campaign’s comprehensive approach includes raising awareness, preventing future trafficking, taking legal action and providing rehabilitation services for survivors, the website said.
Freedom Challenge is a race against the clock over a period of 11 days, through 10 countries, in Eastern Europe.
Farmlands, local villages and some of the steepest mountain passes are along the way, along with historical cities and architecture unique to the region.
“But, Freedom Challenge is not a joy ride. The cyclists have a challenging journey ahead of them. They will ride on some of the same routes traffickers are using to move their victims across Europe. They will pass through areas where young women are continuously targeted by traffickers”
For details of how to donate to support the initiative, please click here.
