Hong Kong Marshals, Health & Safety Committee

Earlier in 2014, the 5 of us applied to be members the Marshals, Health & Safety Subcomittee of Hong Kong's 24 Hour Race by Running to Stop the Traffik. Since then, we have tried our utmost to ensure the 2014 race becomes a reality and make progress in the fight against modern-day slavery. 

Running to Stop the Traffik (RTST) is an international youth movement aimed at combating human trafficking worldwide. Since 2010, we have engaged more than 1,500,000 young people in the fight against modern-day slavery, and have raised more than HK$2,500,000 for grassroots anti-slavery charities in the process.

This year the 24 Hour Race, will take place from the 15th to 16th of November concurrently in three cities: Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The Hong Kong race, situated at The Peak, will challenge 600 youth runners, as well as over 200 student volunteers, from over 25 local and international secondary schools to run for the freedom of others. In teams of 7 or 9, they will race around the 3.2km track for 24 successive hours, a daring feat that pushes both physical and mental limits and ignites a burning passion for the cause. We facilitate fundraising by empowering young people to utilize endurance as the currency of philanthropy. In doing so, participants engage and educate their peers and local communities in the cause, shedding light on a global issue of increasing relevance and urgency. 

Our fundraising goal for the Hong Kong Race this year is HKD$ 2 million, the bulk of which will be raised by race runners through their friends, families, and associates. As directors of the race, we also have the responsibility to raise money to fund the cost of hosting the race, and in turn allowing our plans to come to fruition. RTST is a non-profit organisation, and all excess funds will be donated to our beneficiary charities through our charity partner The Mekong Club once costs have been covered. Partner beneficiaries include Freedom Matters, APLE Cambodia, Blue Dragon Children's Foundation, HOME and SUKA Society.