Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I am taking part in the 2013 London to Brighton cycle ride, to raise money for Unseen, which is a charity that helps the young victims of the many human trafficking gangs operating in Europe and the UK, by providing shelter, counselling and practical help.

Human trafficking is the fastest growing illicit trade in the world according to the UN, and worth around $32 billion each year. Gangs operate intricate webs across Europe, Asia and Africa and deceive men, women and children into forced labour, sexual exploitation or domestic servitude, where they are treated as mere commodities to be bought and sold.

Young women such as Dorina and Manisha. Romanian-born Dorina left school at. Her father was an alcoholic and her mother left when she was small. A man promised her a new life and a job in the UK, but upon arrival Dorina was beaten and forced to have sex with different men in different places in order to repay her travel ticket to the UK. Thankfully, she managed to escape and stop a police officer in the street who brought her to Unseen. For Nigerian-born Manisha, her parents sent her to live with her aunt in the UK to get an education. But instead was forced to work for her aunt’s family from 6am to 1am, with frequent beatings. She only escaped because when her aunt tried to strangle her, her screams alerted a neighbour. Other stories are too horrific to tell here. But all are of women who’ve wanted a better life for themselves or their families, but who’ve been duped and exploited at enormous cost.

Unseen offers women like Dorina and Manisha the safety, hope and choice they deserve. It runs a 24/7 safe-house – one of only three in the UK for trafficking survivors. It’s a nurturing environment where women over 18 can begin to come to terms with their horrific ordeals and start thinking about their future. They receive access to medical care, legal advice, counselling, therapeutic activities and a chance to learn English, Maths and Computers, as well as self-esteem and healthy-relationship courses.

I donate £10 a month to Unseen, but feel that this isn't enough, so hence my London to Brighton ride in September. Check out their website and see what you think. If you think they are worth a few quid, or even one pound, please donate! You'll be helping to give someone a new life. Thanks, Francis Miller.