New Zealand organisations are registering for this year’s Poverty Cycle to raise money for TEAR Fund’s combating of human trafficking.
A statement from the not-for-profit says businesses such as Fonterra and Ricoh have entered teams, as well as professional services consultancy firm Beca, which has five teams riding.
Held at 7am on August 29 at the Ti Papa Events Centre in Clevedon, Auckland, the Poverty Cycle pits teams of six against each other to complete six laps of a 20km circuit in pairs, with each cyclist riding 40km, though individuals can also enter the challenge.
Nigel Jones, general manager of Fonterra New Zealand, recommends the Poverty Cycle for corporates and small and medium-sized businesses as a way to boost team morale and encourage teamwork.
“The Poverty Cycle Challenge was a great, fun way for members of our staff to work together in a co-operative spirit both in the team relay and to fundraise and do what’s right for the most vulnerable in our world: our children.”
There are 21 million victims of human trafficking in the world at any given time; 80 percent of those are for the purposes of sexual exploitation and the vast majority are women and children; the average age of a victim is only 12 years old.
Riding in the Poverty Cycle challenge raises money for TEAR Fund’s partner Nvader to carry out brothel raids to free these victims and prosecute those responsible. Money raised in last year’s challenge enabled 65 victims to be rescued from trafficking and 15 offenders charged.
TearFund says you can register your team at www.povertycycle.org.nz and start fundraising to donate at least the entry fee of $200.