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World record attempt to rescue children from trafficking nears final week as runners approach Melbourne

Destiny Rescue

Key Facts:

• Four runners are attempting a world record for the fastest crossing of Australia's east coast on foot, running 5,000 kilometres from Cape York to Wilsons Promontory, with an expected finish date of 24 October.
• The team is raising funds for Destiny Rescue, an Australian-founded charity that rescues children from trafficking and sexual exploitation; they have so far raised over $210,000 from more than 2,500 donations, enough to rescue 100 children.
• Their goal is to reach $1 million in fundraising by the time they cross the finish line, with organisers urging supporters to donate during the final week of the run.
• Melbourne naturopath Chelsea Dyer, the only woman on the team, said the run is a homecoming, and that every child deserves to feel safe in their own body
• Team member Griffin Hughes was inspired to launch the campaign after being approached in Colombia by a man attempting to sell him a four-year-old girl; supporters can follow the team and donate at runaustralia.org.

Four runners attempting to raise $1 million for Destiny Rescue will reach Melbourne on Tuesday 20 October, in the final week of their attempt on the world record for the fastest crossing of Australia’s east coast on foot.

Griffin Hughes, Flinders Cobley, Chelsea Dyer and Nathan Maufe left the tip of Cape York on 1 August and are running the full 5,000 kilometres together. They expect to finish at Wilsons Promontory on Saturday 24 October.

Videos from the road have drawn millions of views across the team’s social media, spreading the word about Destiny Rescue’s work as they go. They have now raised over $210,000 from over 2,500 donations, enough to rescue 100 children and equip them to stay free. The team is aiming to reach their $1 million fundraising goal by the time they cross the finish line at Wilsons Promontory.

For Melbourne naturopath Chelsea Dyer, the only woman on the team, the final stretch is a run home.

“Coming home to Melbourne with the finish this close is going to be emotional,” Ms Dyer said.

“I started running because it was the place I felt safe in my own body. Every child deserves to feel that safety, and that’s what has kept me going every day since Cape York.”

Mr Hughes started the campaign after being approached in Colombia by a man who tried to sell him a four-year-old girl.

“We’ve been on the road for nearly three months, and the support we’ve had from people all the way down has carried us,” Mr Hughes said.

“We’re nearly at the finish line, and what people give in this last week could change everything for the children still waiting to be rescued.”

Destiny Rescue Fundraising Manager Gavin McCulloch said the final week was the best chance for people to get behind the team.

“These four have given everything to get this far. Every donation, big or small, helps fund the rescue and care of children and helps them stay free,” Mr McCulloch said.

Destiny Rescue was founded in Australia in 2001 and works internationally to rescue children from trafficking and sexual exploitation and equip them to stay free, helping more than 28,000 individuals to freedom. Funds raised go towards rescue operations, rehabilitation and aftercare.

Supporters can follow the team and donate at runaustralia.org 

ENDS

About us:

ABOUT DESTINY RESCUE

Destiny Rescue is a non-profit organisation with a mission to rescue children from human trafficking and sexual exploitation and equip them to stay free. Destiny Rescue has rescued 28,000+ survivors from exploitation in five regions around the world and assisted in the arrest of many perpetrators. After a survivor is rescued, next steps are determined to meet her needs, reduce the vulnerabilities that led to exploitation and empower a life of freedom. This process may include family reunification, entrusting her care to government agencies or enrolment in Destiny Rescue care. 

Additional resources on Destiny Rescue’s work are available on our website, including more about us, where we work and stories of rescue and freedom.

Contact details:

Millana Ayache 0499 072 922 [email protected]

Lizzie Henebery 0402 809 650 [email protected]