June 2017

CEOs Gear up to Support Tearfund’s Fight Against Human Trafficking

Some of New Zealand’s top CEOs are putting their bodies on the line in the fight against human trafficking by riding in this year’s Tearfund Poverty Cycle Challenge.

The top bosses are swapping suit and ties for lycra and using pedal power to help combat human trafficking and forced commercial sexual exploitation in Asia.

Ricoh Managing Director, Mike Pollok, is gearing up for his fifth year of riding in the Poverty Cycle Challenge; a charity road relay race held at Ardmore, South Auckland on August 26.

“Supporting a charity to raise funds through a cycle challenge isn’t a common thing for a corporate to do. However, Tearfund is working to address this appalling issue that is all too easy to turn a blind eye to when you live in a country as safe as New Zealand,” Mr Pollok said.

“It’s great to be involved in the Poverty Cycle Challenge to remind ourselves how hard things are for other people, and we have a personal duty to do what we can to fight for the freedom of others. Taking part in this ride is our way of working to change this,” he said.

Sports brand 2XU co-founder, Jamie Hunt, said the event drew people from all walks of life with a common cause.

“2XU is a brand about empowering people in their athletic pursuit, which can have positive ramifications from a health and social perspective. Tearfund’s philosophy is similarly about making peoples’ lives better through many avenues,” he said.

Tearfund is calling on Kiwi athletes, schools, businesses, churches and celebrities to join the Poverty Cycle.

According to the International Labour Organisation, there are an estimated 21 million people trapped in slavery today, more than ever before in history. An estimated 4.5 million people are victims of forced commercial sexual exploitation (approximately the population of New Zealand) and 98% of these and women and girls.

Tearfund combats human trafficking and exploitation through five partners in five countries working across the spectrum in prevention, prosecution, rescue and rehabilitation.

The Poverty Cycle entry fee is $200 and goes toward a participant’s overall fundraising goal of $800.

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

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