Four South Coast women have spent two days bashing through thick bushland, riding their dirt bikes from Nowra to Bega to raise funds for an anti-child trafficking charity.
Rachel, Hailey, Jade and Bec – collectively known as the Mad Maidens – tackled the grueling challenge as part of the Tread on Trafficking campaign, which is run by the group Destiny Rescue.
Rachel said she was familiar with the work of Destiny Rescue.
“What they do is incredible,” Rachel said.
“Most people do a walk or a ride on their pushies (for Tread on Trafficking), but me and my friends like to ride our dirt bikes through the bush on weekends and we thought, let’s do that! Let’s go for a long ride in the bush and get people to sponsor us.”
Rachel said the group travelled through rugged bush from Nowra before spending the night at Milton, then climbed aboard their machines the following morning for stage two, completing the ride at Batemans Bay – 280 kilometres from their starting point.
She said the first day was the hardest.
“We did a lot more single trails and a lot of enduro staff, big hill climbs, so you’re really exhausted.”
There were also plenty of tumbles.
“We’re little, we’re girls, so picking up your bike – I think mine weighs 115 kilos – it’s pretty hard core!” she laughed.
“The second day was still on dirt – it was very, very dusty – but a bit easier because there was not as many bumps and rocks to climb over.”
Fellow Mad Maiden Hailey said she has only been riding for a year and normally doesn’t spend days at a time in the saddle.
“(When Rachel) asked if we wanted to do it we all said yes. When Rach says jump, we jump!” she joked, to gales of laughter from her riding partners.
“Seriously, why would we say no? (Destiny Rescue) remove children from sexual exploitation and trafficking, they help get them out of that and rehabilitate them so they can return to a normal life.”
The two-day trek has raised more than $4,000, but Hailey said the Mad Maidens hope to build on that tally.
“We have a link on the Mad Maidens’ Instagram page, or people can go directly to the Tread on Trafficking website.”
Rachel said the group had “a blast” despite the tough challenge.
“It was so worth it, not just to raise that money but also awareness – even our Tread on Trafficking shirts had people asking what it was and what we were doing.
“So many people have no idea of what goes on with kids being trafficked and stolen and put into the sex industry, it’s just insane.
“It’s cool to be able to shine a light on that and make a difference that way.”
Images: Supplied
