Zo Caddell's European cycling trip raises $6K for refugees

A 22-year-old woman from Rothesayhas crossed the finish line of herjourney across Europe tofunds for displaced Syrians,raising more than $6,000 along the way.

For 27 days, ZoCaddellcycledmore than 2,500 kilometres from Bulgaria to Spain as part of a crowdfundingcampaign for the Red Cross Syrian Refugee Relief Effort.

She arrived in Barcelona, "really happy to be done."

Caddell said she feltcompelled to help in the Syrian refugee crisis and this seemed like a way to raise much-needed fundswhile stopping in at refugee aid camps along the road.She also collected information about some of the people she met,writing about them on her blog at youcaring.com.

"I want to help people understand exactly what Syrians are running from, not just Syrians, but Iraqis, Afghans, a wholeslew of places that seek the peace of a normal life," she said.

In a blog post from Nov. 9, Caddell recounted the story of aman she callsAbiv, 24.

I want to continue to help.- ZoCaddell

"He was captured months ago by the Taliban, who suspected he was an opposing agent. After a few weeks of daily beatings Abiv bargained with the rebels, explaining that he would join forces with them if he was granted the chance to say goodbye to his family.The Taliban gave him two days during which time he fled the country and has been on the move ever since."

Abiv is just one example of the many people she met on her journey, people she hopes will eventually find a better life.

Caddell encourages New Brunswickers to get involved to help the refugees, especially those whowill be coming to settle in the province,

She says she plans to continue to help, too.

Caddellwill be going to Greece in January to work in refugee camps and transit centres.

"New Brunswick is going to see the entrance of a bunch of Syrians in the next few months, so I hope to help a little bit over Christmas and learn some Arabic that I can use in Greece."

She plans to continue to write about the Syrians and other displaced people she encounters.

'I want to continue to help."