Wheels of Change: Empowering Lives, Illuminating Minds

🚴‍♂️ Ride for Freedom: Flandrien Challenge – My 40th Birthday Mission 🚴‍♂️

Hi, I’m Marc, and this September I’m taking on a personal and powerful challenge – riding 59 legendary climbs (bergs) across the Flanders region in just 72 hours. 

It’s called the Flandrien Challenge, and it’s not just a cycling goal — it’s a mission of purpose.

Having worked in the field of modern slavery awareness, I’ve listened to the heartbreaking stories of survivors. I ride for the 59.6 million people around the world who are currently enslaved — for their freedom, visibility, and dignity.

This ride is deeply personal. Growing up watching the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix alongside other Belgium races and Classics in the region, legends like Fabian Cancellara and Tom Boonen powering over the Koppenberg lit a spark in me.

They inspired me to cycle. Now, I have the chance to ride the same cobbled climbs as they did – and to mark my 40th birthday by doing something truly meaningful.

I’m fundraising for Ride For Freedom UK, an incredible charity that empowers survivors of modern slavery through cycling. Every donation supports their Wheels of Change programme, helping survivors rebuild their lives.

Your support — whether through a donation, share, or message — means the world to me. Let’s turn miles into momentum and make freedom go further.

Join me. Share the road. Support the ride.

📷 Follow my journey: @ride2fourtyinbelgium

In the heart of every cyclist lies a passion for freedom—the exhilaration of the open road and the feeling of liberation with every pedal stroke. At Ride For Freedom, we've harnessed this universal love of cycling to embark on a journey unlike any other: a journey to end modern slavery.

With an estimated 50 million individuals enduring enslavement at any given moment, the need for action has never been more pressing.

Why Does Your Support Matter?

Pedalling Towards a Brighter Future

For survivors, a bike is more than just a mode of transportation—it symbolises freedom, independence, and the promise of a new beginning. Through our transformative Freewheel programme, we provide survivors with the tools they need to reclaim their lives and embrace the journey towards healing and recovery. With each turn of the pedal, they reclaim their strength, their dignity, and their hope.

Illuminating Minds, Empowering Hearts

Through our Schools Programme, we educate young minds about the signs of modern slavery, empowering them to protect themselves and others from exploitation. From understanding the dangers of County Lines to recognising the subtle indicators of trafficking, we arm our future leaders with the tools they need.

Your Donation Drives Our Mission Forward!

Your unwavering support fuels our programmes and reflects the profoundly empathetic and compassionate person you are. Your commitment to our cause speaks volumes about your values and dedication to improving the world. By standing with us, you exemplify the qualities of kindness, empathy, and generosity that inspire others to join our movement. Thank you for being a beacon of hope and a shining example of positive change.