Lawyer thanked for ‘services to mankind’

Governor Dean was speaking at a home-coming breakfast reception at the new Dubliner Irish pub in Bangkok in honour of volunteers who undertook a mammoth and historic 370km walk from Bangkok to Myanmar to end human trafficking.

Mark, whose parents Brian and Dianne Ferguson live on Belsize Road, Lisburn, described the walk as a “mind-opening experience” and one he’s glad he did not miss.

“I believe very strongly in the campaign to stop the tragic sufferings of innocent people,” he said. “I view it as a ‘wake-up call’ to the authorities worldwide to do something about it.

“If enough people said ‘no’ to human trafficking, it would end,” he added.

Twenty countries participated in the Freedom To Walk campaign and Mark represented Northern Ireland.

Mark who attended Friends’ School, said: “Human trafficking is seen as the single biggest threat facing men, women and children globally and is said to account for many missing people.

“If we don’t combine our strengths and do something about it now, who knows how many more millions will be affected.

“The idea for the campaign came to American Ali Weiner and her Thai friend Tanrak Chiengtong, both 23, while they were having a drink at the Dubliner. Both girls are inspirational and deserve medals,” said Mark.

“Dubliner Irish pub owner John Kealy from Tipperary, undertook to cover the majority of expenses, but everyone had to pay their own airfares getting to Bangkok. The fact the volunteers had to do that indicates their sincerity about abolishing human trafficking,” he added.