Student walkers reach Auckland from BluffKate 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