Walk to Freedom raises awareness about modern slavery
THE worldwide problem of human trafficking was highlighted with a walk along the east coast on Saturday.
The Walk for Freedom was held across the world, with the local walk attracting more than 30 people. Walk host Emma Guilbert read the freedom declaration before the walk set off from the Liberation Monument at about 10.30am. The walk ended with tea and cake at Delancey Elim Church. This is the third year the walk has been held.
‘Today is about raising awareness of human trafficking,’ said Mrs Guilbert.
‘By doing the walk it shows that people here are invested in ending human trafficking. It is something you could think does not happen here – it is so hard to detect.’
She said each year she found the walk quite emotional, as when people turned out it showed they cared.
‘We are here to make a difference,’ she said. ‘It is really important.’
Many of the walk participants are linked with Delancey Elim Church, but there were also members of the public taking part too.
Clive Norman, 59, was there with his wife and two granddaughters. He had taken part every year since it has started.
‘It is just such a good cause,’ he said.
Steve Allaway, 62, was taking part with his wife Hayley and their sprocker Zeus.
This was his first time taking part.
‘Human slavery is something that is very real, but something we tend not to think exists here, so it needs to be highlighted,’ he said.
