November 26th, 2015

On the weekend of the 18/19 November, FIS was one of 60 schools across Asia to participate in the 24 Hour Race, a relay race for 14- to 18-year olds to raise funds and awareness to end human trafficking and abolish modern day slavery. The 24 Hour Races are a student-led global movement to get students active and involved in an issue that affects an estimated 35 million slaves worldwide. In Asia this involves having a relay of 2000 runners in 3 cities – Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Sponsorship of the run raises money the various charity partners around South East Asia seeking to eradicate this crime against humanity.
FIS had 16 students participating, with two team leaders, Leanna Lam and David Vacek (Y12HT), running around the clock, from 9 am Saturday to 9 am Sunday, in relay teams, each student running on average 2.30 – 3.30 hours, 24 circuits of tracks around Victoria Peak – that’s nearly 82 km in all! As well as the runners, there were supporters of the FIS participants including staff, family and friends. I was there at various stages throughout the day and night to photograph our eager team.
Congratulations to all involved in the initiative, raising HKD 58646.65 for the cause (including the school’s donation of $5000 as well, thanks to the school’s generosity). 
Because the 24 Hour Race is a student-led event, it is impressive that 95% of the total money raised is going directly to the charities and only the remaining 5% is for the handling fees; whereas for most other charities, 60% of the total money raised going towards charity and 40% is for the handling fee. This year, the money raised by 24 Hour Race is helping the following charities: Justice Centre Hong Kong and Chab Dai, both charities directly aiming to help combat the issue of human trafficking. 
I asked Leanna Lam a few questions about the race.
How did you raise the money?
“Personally, I raised the money by asking my parents’ friends to donate to the charity and tell them that I was participating in this event. I couldn’t be sure but I think everyone had different money raising methods.”
How was this experience? 
“The experience was remarkable. It was such a painful and tough process, but when I looked back, I thought that I actually had so much fun. Not only was the running such a rewarding experience, but also the fact that I had a chance to bond with the team, people from a year above or below, French or International stream, people who I had never met or talked to before. We had such a great team this year, everybody was talking and bonding and getting to know each other during the race, it was great. I really liked it. Was it difficult? Definitely. But the experience was amazing and phenomenal and I know that I will never be able to forget this experience.”
How tough was it? 
“Very tough, but very rewarding. My muscles were sore for days. I could barely walk after the race.”
What was it like to run all day and all night? 
“It was easier during the day and it was easier when it was still the first few laps, but it got pretty difficult at night as everyone starts to get tired and it was difficult to get up at night and run the laps.”
Was it worth it? 
“Absolutely. Especially when this event helps and raises awareness for such a major global issue as human trafficking. It was definitely worth it.” 
By Sofia Gagliano & Leanna Lam (Y12HT)
Participants: Girls Team: (Leanna-Team Leader) Gina Henderson, Naomi Crawford, Inès Ostheim, Kiki Kemp, Sophie Marrié, Terry Tse, Zoe Cook. Boys Team: (David-Team Leader), Kabir Sodhi, Toby Plowman, Carlen Sikora, Keith Chan, Arnaud Heuzard, Elias Coping, Luca Lit