Emma conquers 1000km challenge for trafficking victims

St Heliers resident Emma Hadley is so serious about the issue of human trafficking, on the opening week of the Tour de France, she set herself a crazy challenge of cycling 1000kms over four days and climbing 10,000 metres of hills to raise money for Tearfund’s anti-trafficking work.

Emma planned to enter Tearfund’s Poverty Cycle, which is a cycling event that raises funds for the organisation’s anti-trafficking and exploitation work overseas. However, she realised she would be in England on the day of the event. “I was riding to work thinking about a crazy challenge I could set myself when I came up with the idea.”

She says the 1000km was not a really huge challenge, although 250km a day back-to-back is tough—it was adding the 10,000 metres of hill climbs that really took it to the next level. Emma had a goal of raising $2,500, but she has been ‘blown-away’ by the response, raising more than $6000.

However, Emma was yet to face another big challenge. The weather over the four days she cycled from July 6 to 9 was appalling. She had to change the route several times because of slips caused by torrential rain. “On one of the days, the rain was so heavy I couldn’t even see the rider in front of me. I was really struggling, but I told myself, ‘Emma, there are people in this world in far more serious situations’.” It was the thought that she was riding for the freedom of others that got her through the really challenging stages as well as the promise of being offered a $1000 donation if she completed the ride, Emma says.

“I have been to Thailand, but I just wasn’t aware that 21 million people are trapped in forced slavery. About 4.5 million of them are victims of forced commercial sexual exploitation. It really shocked me. That’s the population of New Zealand. It is a really good feeling knowing that the money I have raised will help these victims.”

As if this wasn’t enough of a challenge, the team of riders who joined her on the adventure had to repair 50 punctures along the way. She is thankful to her ‘amazing team of riders’. For many of them, this was the longest rides of their lives and one rider did the whole challenge with her, she says. Emma plans to come up with an even more crazy challenge next year.

Hot Cycles and Mt Eden Cycles is also getting behind the Poverty Cycle, by donating $1 to the Poverty Cycle from every water bottle sold at their stores. The business owners and the rest of Emma’s team, The Hotties, will also compete in the Poverty Cycle on August 26.

Tearfund Poverty Cycle Event
WHAT: The Tearfund Poverty Cycle is a relay cycle event, on a 25km circuit, which you ride individually or in teams, and raise money for Tearfund’s anti-trafficking and exploitation work in Southeast Asia. Some funds raised also go to charities working with New Zealand youth through Brother’s in Arms and 24-7 YouthWork.
When: August 26
Time: 7am-noon
Where: Ardmore Airport, Corsair Lane, off Airfield Road.