Two years ago, Anthony Fong didn't even own a bike. Now he’s cycling a 2000 kilometre solo journey on a mission to raise funds and awareness to fight human trafficking.
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Fong, 31, is riding 1946km cycle from Melbourne to his home state of Queensland. On Sunday he came through Goulburn and spoke about his cause at the Workers Club.
His long ride is in aid of Destiny Rescue, an Australian non-profit organisation that works to rescue and rehome children exposed to human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
The charity has 13 safe houses across southeast Asia for education and rehabilitation.
Fong’s goal is to raise $150, 000 to fund 100 child rescues. “It costs $1500 to rescue one child,” he said. “Whatever someone can give, it all matters and it all helps.”
He says it’s a critical issue for Australians as many men involved in the trade are from Australia. “We need to act together to help educate and prevent [it],” Fong said.
“No child in the world should experience the suffering these children face.
“The hardest part of the Road to Happiness cycle will be the physical pain and mental barriers of being alone but these are nothing compared to what these children face.
“...Australians need to know about what’s happening to these children.”
A near-fatal accident while on an overseas holiday in 2008 changed the course of Fong’s life. In June that year, “I had just arrived in Thailand with my mates,” he said.
“We were in a tuk tuk when out of nowhere a truck hit us. He was drunk driving down a one-way street and hit us [and] four cars eventually going through the front of a house.
“Among my multiple injuries were four fractures to my skull, a shattered left eye socket and two blood clots in my brain.” Doctors gave Fong a 30 per cent chance of survival.
“I woke up! After a two-and-a-half day coma, I was given a second chance on life.
“I knew I couldn’t waste it.”
Since then, Fong’s life goal is to open an orphanage and an internationally recognised hospitality school in Thailand to provide greater future opportunities for children.
In his speech at the Goulburn Workers Club on August 20, he admitted he found visits to see children in rescue homes harrowing, but remained committed to the cause.
“The moment that got me was when I met a 14-year-old girl who was too afraid to even look at me because I was male. Then and there I was lost with emotion,” Fong said.
He praised the “passionate and caring” Destiny Rescue team.
“I recently joined an undercover rescue operation, which I’ll admit is not for the faint hearted. This team regularly risk their lives to save these children.”
On August 21, Fong continues on his 22-day ride – called the Road to Happiness –leaving the Southern Tablelands to arrive in the Southern Highlands early afternoon.
“Anthony’s passion and determination for the children is inspiring and we are very lucky to have him,” said Destiny Rescue chief executive officer Michelle Winser.
”He is a perfect example that the action of one person is just as powerful as many. He is helping us save children who have been fighting battles one cannot even imagine.”
Having left Melbourne on August 12, Fong has cycled through Seymour, Benalla, Albury, Holbrook, Gundagai, Yass and Goulburn. From Bowral, he will continue on through Sydney, Newcastle, Forster, Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Mororo, Byron Bay, Tweed Heads and Southbank in the city of Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast.
Follow Fong’s progress and updates through the Road to Happiness Facebook page.
Find out about Destiny Rescue at destinyrescue.org/aus or call 1300 738 761.
