While most teenagers spend their weekends relaxing, Melbourne student Williem Duong is lacing up his sneakers for a cause close to his heart. The 14-year-old will take part in his fifth consecutive Blue Dragon Marathon Walk on 14 September, the flagship fundraising event of The Intrepid Foundation supporting victims of human trafficking in Vietnam.
Williem first joined the walk in 2021 during Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns, when he and his siblings decided to donate their Christmas money to help children in need. Since then, he’s raised more than $7,000 and even had the chance to visit Blue Dragon’s Hanoi headquarters last year.
“Meeting the kids there and seeing how different their lives were was eye opening,” he said. “It made me even more motivated to keep walking and raising money.”
This year, Williem will challenge himself further by running a half marathon alongside Do Duy Vi, Co-CEO of Blue Dragon and a former street kid whose life was transformed in 2003 after meeting Blue Dragon founder Michael Brosowski. Today, Vi works to support thousands of vulnerable children across Vietnam.
Since 2018, the Blue Dragon Marathon Walk has become a cornerstone event for The Intrepid Foundation, raising more than AU$1.5 million and attracting over 5,000 participants globally. The funds raised have helped rescue 365 people from trafficking, supported education for more than 15,500 youth, and provided vital community services.
Intrepid’s co-founder Darrell Wade says the impact of the walk is direct and powerful. “What makes this walk so powerful is that just $500 can rescue someone from trafficking. It’s not often you can have such a dramatic, direct impact on a person’s life.”
This year’s goal is to raise $500,000 AUD, with participants around the world invited to walk or run 10km, 21km or 42km from wherever they are. Australians can join the global event virtually, taking part solo or with friends, family, or colleagues – because every step helps protect and empower children at risk of human trafficking.
Learn more or donate: https://bluedragonwalk.org/
