Dagenham on 25 March 2022. The opening took place on the UN International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade with a cycle starting at Dagenham & Redbridge FC. The route went via Barking Town Hall and several anti-slavery landmarks before finishing at the Buxton Memorial at Victoria Tower Gardens beside the Houses of Parliament, SW1.
Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, who joined the cyclists at Dagenham & Redbridge FC, said: “This borough has historically led the way in fighting for justice, equality and decency, which is why we’re proud to support Gordon and his superb campaigning against the scourge of modern-day slavery and in their support for survivors.”
The Freewheel remediation programme empowers survivors – women, children and men – of modern slavery and human trafficking to cycle to support their physical and mental health, independence, mobility, and their reintegration into society. At Freewheel Barking & Dagenham, during 2022, 20-30 survivors, referred by charities Hestia and STOP THE TRAFFIK, will be given a bike and accessories and training in cycling proficiency and road awareness. The training will be delivered by Vandome Cycles, through the national cycle training programme, Bikeability.
Pat Hayes, Managing Director for Be First, the borough’s regeneration arm, said: “Gordon’s work in the fight against modern slavery is truly inspiring. We’re proud to support him and The Freewheel programme which is an outstanding example of providing practical help to the victims of modern day slavery. It’s deeds not words which count.”
Miller, who is the Founder and Team Leader of Ride For Freedom, was joined for the launch by more than 30 cyclists from the Freewheel Barking & Dagenham Hub’s partners, including Be First, Berkeley Group, Countryside Properties, EcoWorld, L&Q, Wates, Weston Homes, Willmott Dixon, Barking & Dagenham Cycling Club and Vandome Cycles.
He said: “Slavery was abolished almost 200 years ago, in 1833, but modern slavery remains all around us, often hidden in plain sight. More than 40 million people worldwide are enslaved at any given time and thousands in the U.K. Today, I’m delighted that Ride For Freedom and our Barking & Dagenham Freewheel Hub partners have come together to launch the Hub, and harness the universal appeal of cycling to unite our voices and advocate to ‘End Modern Slavery.”
Freewheel Barking & Dagenham is the first of the hubs to open. Ride For Freedom is in discussions with several charities and companies regarding establishing hubs in other UK regions. It also aims to found hubs internationally, which is one of the objectives of The Ride For Freedom German Bundesliga Cycling Tour 2022.
Ride For Freedom welcomes donations of bikes and accessories for its Freewheel programme – contact info@RideForFreedom.org if you would like to donate or discuss supporting our work in other ways.
https://rideforfreedom.org.uk/freewheel-barking-dagenham/ #RideForFreedom #EndModernSlavery