Selly Park
A 24-hour youth event to support the Stop the Traffik campaign
Youth event against human trafficking
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at Christ Church are informal in style. Regular service times are 10.30 am and (most weeks) 6.30 pm
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Resources to help read the Bible in a year and a report on our Weekend Away in September 2011
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Our two youth groups covering the age range 11-18 are led by youth worker Ellen Eagling
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Worldwide connections
Our partners rescue street children in Tanzania, engage in Christian media work, combat poverty and much more
Beccy and Dan travelled to Bolivia to help with church projects there
Not for sale: Stop the Traffik
The Christ Church youth groups held a special 24 hour event in support of the Stop the Traffik campaign against human trafficking. They were sponsored to ride two exercise bikes throughout all 24 hours.
Adult members of the church were invited to breakfast to learn about the issue - and make a donation.
The event raised over £600 and helped to made everyone involved more aware of the awful reality of human trafficking.
Everyone who took part made their statement against human trafficking
The awful truth
During the evening of the 24-hour event, the older group heard from someone who is directly involved in trying to rescue young women who are brought from Eastern Europe and trapped in the sex trade. With the help of a hard-hitting video, she described how these women are lured to the West with the promise of a better life, or simply kidnapped.
It's not just an issue for women: what about the men who use their services? The stories she told left everyone in stunned silence.
The video was awful to watch but no-one could turn their eyes away
"We're looking for Ellen Eagling"
When two large policemen called late one night just as the Reloaded group was finishing, our youth worker was naturally a little concerned. It turned out that they had come to support the Stop The Traffik event and wanted to know how they could help with our enquiries.
Police Officer Scott returned during the event and described to the younger group how the police deal with suspected cases of trafficking. The victims are usually young, female and afraid, and might speak almost any language. Their "employers" may react with violence and have to be forcibly restrained.
"I'll come quietly": Ellen learns about pressure points. A beginners' guide to conducting a police raid was also a reminder that this crime is happening right here in our city
Photo diary: 24 hours
17.00: We're under way
17.03: The revolution has begun
17.32: A new pair of cyclists takes over every half hour
18.29: Starting on the 24-hour food supply
20.48: A video brings home the shocking truth about human trafficking
21.59: Ellen catches a quiet moment in the kitchen
22.15: The Big Issue has a special feature on human trafficking
22.43: You can't knit a scarf on a real cycle
23.32: You can't dance on a real cycle either
23.32: “Did you know your dance is being videoed?”
23.38: More action at the other end of the hall
00.08: Things quieten down as the late night film begins
02.47: Some encouragement to keep going through the night
03.43: An ideal time to do some revision
03.44: Some find the Wii a better way to stay awake
06.23: The night's nearly over, and we're still going
07.31: As morning comes, the younger Revive group start on the day shift
07.31: Anticipation rises as the breakfast team gets to work
07.56: Some reward for all the hard work done overnight
08.04: Still the pedalling keeps going
09.46: Adult members of the church made donations in return for breakfast
09.57: Making T-shirts to get the message across
(Above) 10.44: Making gift tags to be sold in aid of the campaign
(Left) 10.05: Cyclists display the message
13.09/13.14: Members of both youth groups recorded their thoughts in the video diary room
14.17: Ellen finds out how uncomfortable the long arm of the law can be
14.27: Do not attempt this at home: Members of Revive learn how to conduct a police raid
17.00:
3... 2... 1... Stop! It's been great fun, but the campaign needs to go on