TAKEN

Just in case you didn't know I am a man. I very rarely leave the toilet seat up but I am a man. As a man, I am not the cause of all the world's problems but there is a time to stand up and say "this problem we are facing is a problem mainly caused by men for men". The problem I am talking about is the abhorrent global trade of human trafficking. Especially those being trafficked for the purpose of sex slavery.

The reason I am talking about this yet again is because a couple of the young woman from our church, NCLC, went to visit the A21 crisis house in Greece last week. A21 is an organisation we partner with in the fight against human trafficking across Europe. I also have just read the report from Hazel Thompson about her latest ebook "TAKEN". This is not the Hollywood glamourised version of events where Liam Neeson sweeps in using his set of special skills to rescue his daughter. That, unfortunately, does not happen. Most of the women and children do not have an ex-CIA operative to bring them home. Many are kept in locked rooms or cages until they are "broken" and never return home.

It can be easy to relegate that problem to another country. But this issue has been highlighted by our own Lindsay Bruce as also a North East problem. I challenge you to do an internet search on human trafficking in the UK. It is a problem here and now with us. Teesside's Ben Cooley felt so passionate about this subject that he has set up the charity HOPE FOR JUSTICE to help in the fight.

I can easily abdicate my responsibility as a man and say that I personally haven't caused it but maybe we, I, need to be part of the solution not just ignore the problem.

Get involved. Buy Hazel's ebook, go to the A21 or the Hope for Justice website and find out what you can do. We are VERY excited to have Ben Cooley, CEO of Hope for Justice join us for our IronMen Conference in November. He will challenge, inspire and get in your face. If you are a man, get to the conference, you can register here.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Tough Mudder videos and pictures

So the event is finally over and done with for this year. I did a video just before the event and an update today.
I have also included a video of the event and some pictures.
I am hopefully doing 2 next year.
We raised about £1500 for The A21 Campaign against human trafficking.

The Arctic Enema

Tough Mudder No.9

A quick update on Tough Mudder. 2 days to go.

Though I would give you a quick update. The team has formed well. We have trained hard and really want to work this as a team.
I am resting from training for the last 2 days.
We have raised over £1000 so far for A21 campaign against human trafficking.
Please go to www.justgiving.com/nclctoughmudder

Tough Mudder- The reason why!

People have asked me why on earth am I doing "Tough Mudder".
Here is the reason why.
I am doing it to raise awareness of human trafficking and also to raise funds in the fight against it, particularly through the work of the A21 Campaign.
It is mainly girls and children that are trafficked. the girls are often beaten, raped and drugged and then forced into prostitution.
People have questioned my sanity just because I will face a bit of cold water and a few electric shocks.
Most trafficking is done BY men FOR men. So we, as real men, (you cannot count yourself a real man if you treat women this way) need to be part of the solution.
Check out this video that will explain a bit more about it.
As you watch it, every time your hear the name Natalia, change it to the name of your sister, daughter, girlfriend, wife. Then see whether it becomes personal.
This is why I am doing Tough Mudder.

Tough Mudder TM No.3 Post training session.

Training Session 1
20 running circuits of the church hall (about 9 mins)
1 min press ups
2 mins church circuits
1 min body weight squats
2 mins 2 feet step hops
1 min spiderman floor walk

1 min rest

2 mins 2 feet step hops
1 min plank
2 min burpees
1 press ups
2 min burpees
1 min lying pullups

Yes I know its not a lot and I have a long way to go but at least I have started.

Tough Mudder Registration Day TM No2

Tough Mudder video blog No.1