Chilliwack cyclist rides 17 hours in one day to help combat human trafficking

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Acting on a tip from friend Nate Willms, Luesink decided to research Vancouver-based Ally Global Foundation and its ongoing initiatives to prevent human trafficking and educate, house, and care for survivors all over the world. Ally Global specifically helps trafficking victims in Nepal, Laos, and Cambodia.

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“I set up a fundraiser through their website and spread the word,” Luesink said. “Not only did I have a big goal for distance, I then had a good cause for why I was riding.”

Ally Global runs a tight ship. Over 91 per cent of its funds were spent on capital and programs. Of its remaining expenses, 5.3 per cent went to administration and 3.3 per cent was allocated to fundraising. By comparison, administrative and fundraising costs total 14 percent for United Way British Columbia.

Luesink raised nearly $1,600 for Ally Global, but the fundraising component wasn’t the most challenging element of his ride. Seemingly endless rain and storms in May and early June gave him cause for concern. Once the weather looked promising a day or two before his daylong adventure, Luesink experienced a few hiccups along the 333-kilometre ride. Starting off in Chilliwack, he rode through Agassiz, Mission, Coquitlam, Vancouver, White Rock, and back to Chilliwack.

“There was a small mechanical issue with my bike halfway through, as well as my phone charging cord breaking,” Luesink said. “Which meant my phone almost died and navigation would have been very hard through Vancouver.”

Thanks to the kindness of two bike shops, a fire station, and a 7-11 convenience store, Luesink persevered toward his goal. Vancouver was actually the biggest barrier in his ride, not the country roads.

“I was able to surmount all of these small obstacles,” said Luesink. “Navigation through Vancouver proved to be quite slow and convoluted. Biking was the easy part thanks to training in the lead-up to the ride. Finding my way through Vancouver was harder than I anticipated!”

Supporters of Luesink can donate at https://give.allyglobal.org/fundraise/200-miles-for-freedom. Ally Global will hold a similar event later this summer called “Move for Freedom” as it works to build homes and fund educational opportunities and vocational training for survivors of human trafficking.