LexisNexis SA puts pedal to the metal for charity

Three local NGOs active in the field of anti-human trafficking are set to benefit from a gruelling, three-day cycling challenge to be spearheaded by leading content and technology solutions provider, LexisNexis South Africa, in KwaZulu-Natal from 29 September to 1 October 2014.  

The event will see 11 cyclists, including LexisNexis CEO Billy Last, senior employees and other corporate partners, cycle more than 200 kilometres from the Drakensberg to Durban with the aim of raising funds for Mercy House in Johannesburg, Open Door Crisis Centre in Durban and Molo Songololo in Cape Town.  

Speaking during preparations for the LexisNexis Cycle against Trafficking Challenge, Last said: “We decided to get our most senior staff out from behind their desks and into action for the benefit of valued NGO partners who work in the field of anti-human trafficking, which forms the core of our corporate social responsibility initiatives. Our hope is to really build on the successes of our well-established ‘LN Cares’ staff volunteerism programme and our ongoing work in this field.”  

The LexisNexis Cycle against Trafficking Challenge has also attracted strong corporate support including that of platinum sponsor, Interpak Books (Pty) Ltd.  

Globally LexisNexis works to uphold the rule of law by providing regulatory content in print, digital and training formats for professionals and academics in the fields of law, tax, accounting and government. In South Africa the company’s LN Cares programmes sees over 200 employees volunteer annually to benefit charity organisations and NGOs.  

Says Last: “As LexisNexis we have committed to donate a minimum of R50 000 to our three beneficiaries, but are also carrying out our own internal fundraising and approaching our business partners to ensure that the final amount will be higher.”   The final donation will assist the safe houses with their daily needs.  

The LexisNexis Cycle against Trafficking Challenge kicks off on Monday, 29 September when the intrepid riders set out from Glengarry in the Kamberg Valley of the Drakensberg to cycle 87 km to Midmar Dam. Day 2 on Tuesday, 30 September will see them cycle a further 86km to end at Watervale Ridge in Hillcrest, Durban. The final stretch of 40km takes them to Morningside Primary School in Durban on Wednesday, 1 October where they will be welcomed by a team of cheering LexisNexis employees and business partners.

If you would like to assist the beneficiaries by sponsoring or even making a small donation you can do so by contacting Neliswa Hlombe, LexisNexis Corporate Communications & PR Manager on Tel. +27 (0)31 268 3284 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Also see http://www.lexisnexis.co.za/cycleagainsttrafficking/ 

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About the Beneficiaries

Mercy House provides transitional housing for female victims of domestic violence and their children. See www.mercy-house.co.za 

The Open Door Crisis Care Centre based in Pinetown, Kwazulu-Natal, is a well-established counselling, training and advisory centre housing an HIV/AIDS clinic, play therapy room for traumatised children, training room, office space and 10 counselling rooms. See www.opendoor.org.za  

Molo Songololo has been working to promote the rights and protection of all children for more than 30 years and in 2000 released a pioneering report that put the spotlight on trafficking in children in South Africa for the purposes of sexual exploitation. See www.molosongololo.com