Beach sand turned black and red as residents marched against human trafficking during the Walk for Justice on Sunday.

More than 50 people took on the trek from Tiffany’s Beach to Ballito, dressed in black T-shirts and carrying red balloons to raise awareness and funds for the cause.

The event was organised by Co-Church and Love Justice International, who also handed out bracelets on the day, each signifying one life reached by the organisation.

Love Justice’s Hannah Munn said she was grateful for the turnout.

“To everyone who showed up, thank you. You walked, you prayed and you gave,” said Munn.

“There are real people who will now be protected because of this support.”

Love Justice International’s mission is to stop human trafficking before it happens by placing trained monitors at transport hubs, border crossings and transit points across Africa and Asia. Since 2006, the organisation has intercepted more than 100 000 people across over 20 countries and assisted in more than 2 000 trafficking-related arrests.

Sunday’s walk raised over R13 000, with more donations still expected. Munn explained that every R1 900 raised allows the organisation to intercept one potential trafficking victim.

Thanks to a matching donation campaign running in May, all funds raised were doubled, meaning the event’s impact could help protect 14 people.