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Student walkers reach Auckland from Bluff

Kate Medlicott and Tim Geaney left the Bluff on 15 November to walk to Cape Reinga. Today they arrive in Auckland and head north on the last leg of their incredible walk to draw attention to the need for New Zealanders to protect their children from abuse.

Both students at Otago University, Kate and Tim were surprised and shocked by information published by ECPAT Child Alert about the degree of risk to children being abused from sexual exploitation. Determined to raise some awareness of the issue they undertook to forgo their vacation and walk the 2,300 kilometres from one end of New Zealand to the other.

Undergoing all sorts of weather, road conditions, physical ailments and busy traffic they have stuck to their schedule and plan to complete the walk by the 4 th. February. “It has not always been easy” says Kate “but the cause is one worth putting in the effort for. New Zealand is not exempt from sexual abuse of children and if we can save a child from being abused our walk will have been worthwhile.”

Alan Bell, Director of ECPAT Child Alert speaks highly of Kate & Tim’s commitment. “It is just great to see two young people sacrifice their vacation and home comforts to try and protect children from harm. I take my hat off to them!”

ECPAT Child ALERT is a registered charitable trust working to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.

ENDS

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