HOPE61, a human trafficking prevention ministry of One Mission Society, is participating in a unique fundraising opportunity with Rob DeCou, a HOPE61 trainer and ultra-endurance athlete.
DeCou, a resident of Port Angeles, Washington, sets off to complete the Uberman ultra-triathlon on Thursday, October 8, in Southern California, with a goal of raising more than US$50,000. The funds raised will donate directly to efforts by three groups working against human trafficking.
“We are so excited to partner with Rob on this gruelling journey,” said Tom Overton, Global Director at HOPE61. “He is using his God-given perseverance and athletic gifts and abilities powerfully to raise awareness and much-needed funds to stop trafficking both locally and around the world.”
Uberman is a challenging ultra-triathlon. The 556-mile course begins on Catalina Island, south of Los Angeles, where participants begin a 21-mile swim in the Pacific Ocean to the shores of Palos Verdes.
The 400-mile bike route leaves Los Angeles and climbs 20,000 vertical feet before descending to Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point in North America. From Badwater Basin, athletes run 135 miles through Death Valley, eventually ascending 13,000 feet to the trailhead at Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States. Uberman requires that participants finish the event within nine days.
HOPE61, headquartered at One Mission Society in Greenwood, Indiana, trains and equips churches worldwide to understand the issue of human trafficking. At its core, HOPE61 is an evangelism organisation aimed at people who are vulnerable to becoming involved in human trafficking.
