Bikes to Combat Trade in Lives

Media Release

Bikes to Combat Trade in Lives

Every 30 seconds a child is trafficked in the world. TEAR Fund is challenging Kiwi cyclists to change this appalling statistic by using their bikes to help stop these children from having their innocence stolen. By taking part in TEAR Fund’s annual Poverty Cycle, you can help combat this criminal trade in lives.

The Poverty Cycle is a road relay race that pits teams of six against each other to complete six laps of a 20km circuit.

Last year’s Poverty Cycle saw key businesses, schools, groups and clubs cycling together to raise $96,000 which was used to help fight trafficking in Southeast Asia and Nepal. The money raised helped TEAR Fund’s partners to rescue 39 girls held in bondage in Southeast Asia, prosecuted 12 offenders and enabled our partners to move into a new community in Nepal to help protect and rehabilitate the most vulnerable women and children there.

TEAR Fund now wants to extend the same opportunity to local businesses, individuals, schools, and clubs to participate in this worthwhile challenge this year.

Mike Pollok, Managing Director of Ricoh New Zealand spoke highly of last year’s race saying “Ricoh has entered a team in the Poverty Cycle each year since it began, and we'll be back for 2014! It’s proven to be a professionally run event that encourages team work, exercise and friendly competition between corporates. Most importantly though, the Poverty Cycle has been very effective in highlighting and raising valuable funds for organisations that are doing incredible work in transforming lives.”

The money raised in the Poverty Cycle this year, is going towards preventing and rehabilitating women and children caught up in human trafficking in Southeast Asia. A portion of the funds will also go towards a mentoring programme for vulnerable youth here in New Zealand.

The event will be happening on August the 30th at the Ti Papa Events Centre in Clevedon, Auckland.

For more information or to register for the challenge go to www.povertycycle.org.nz

ENDS

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