Annas Kilimanjaro Fundraiser.....
Anna Sedgwick is raising money for The Snowdrop Project
Story
Life begins at………. The end of your comfort zone.
So, the time has come, the final countdown of my thirties, in April 2024 I will be FOURTY years old, GULP! Nearly four whole decades of life and a significant milestone in a story that in many ways, I hope, is just getting started :-)
To mark the occasion, I’m going to take on the biggest challenge of my life to date and on 31st July 2024, I will be Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with a group of strangers to raise awareness of Modern Slavery and raise as much money as I can for The Snowdrop Project.
What is Modern Slavery? Although Modern Slavery is not defined in law, it is used as an umbrella term that focuses on commonalities across legal concepts. Essentially it refers to situations of exploitation that a person cannot refuse or leave, usually because of threats or violence or the abuse of power. Modern slavery is a complex and hidden crime, but it is taking place in South Yorkshire, these victims are embedded in our communities, and it could be taking place behind the doors of the streets you walk down on a daily basis. Without knowing it, you might regularly see people who are in slavery. Modern slaves can be vulnerable people of all ages, including people from the UK, who are forced to work illegally against their will in many different sectors, including construction, brothels, nail bars, take-aways, factories, the care sector and car washes.
Why The Snowdrop Project? As the lead for Modern Slavery in South Yorkshire Police, I work closely with The Snowdrop project, who are a Sheffield based charity that provide long term support to victims of Modern Slavery and human trafficking, to support them move on from their past and rebuild their future. From small beginnings 11 years ago, the charity now has a huge impact on the lives of survivors as well as influencing parliamentary policies on this hidden crime. My belief is that everyone deserves to live their life free of coercion, control and fear and despite the difficulties we all face in life, most of us will never have to know the horrors these people have endured.
It’s just a mountain, you can walk up it right? How tough can it be? This is 8 days of trekking uphill and camping (No phone signal or Hair straighteners) in all conditions to hopefully reach the summit of Africa’s Highest Mountain, nicknamed ‘The Roof of Africa’ and the Tallest Free-Standing Mountain IN THE WORLD, rising 5,895 metres above sea level (for context the highest mountain in the UK is Ben Nevis at 1,344 metres) also trekking over three volcanoes. Two of those volcanoes are extinct, but Kibo on the highest peak is dormant and believed to erupt again one day. The challenge is mentally and physically exhausting and not without risk due to the altitude, around a third of people who attempt to summit Kilimanjaro do not make it to the top.
Are you crazy? Questionable, I’m currently feeling both massively excited and daunted (both about the challenge and travelling to Tanzania, leaving my Partner and 2 children behind), but for those of you that know me know that I’m never one to shy away from a challenge and will be putting my absolute all into it.
So, How can you help? I am looking for Sponsorship, although I am self-funding the trip, I am aiming to raise £5,000 for The Snowdrop Project. I also require a long list of Kit if anyone is able to donate or fund this, please.
My second ask is that you think wider about spotting the signs of Modern Slavery. We are all responsible for being alert to the risks of modern slavery and reporting it when you feel that something isn’t right.
IF YOU SUSPECT IT, REPORT IT.
Call the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline on 0800 121 700
And finally, I sincerely THANK YOU for being part of this incredible mission and supporting me in this once in a lifetime adventure to ensure that survivors are supported as they build a new life.