Former All Black gets behind Poverty Cycle event in Auckland
Wednesday November 24 2010
International Aid Agency TEAR Fund aims to generate $500,000 for at-risk children in New Zealand and globally, with the
new TEAR Fund Poverty Cycle event in March 2011.
The event will comprise a promotional ride covering the length of the country with two core teams of up to eight
members, cycling over 10 days. They will ride the 630kms from February 22 to Friday March 4, 2011. The North and South
Island teams will converge on the steps of Parliament to present to a politician or the Prime Minister a letter about
their concern for poverty and how New Zealanders can make a difference. This will be followed by a free concert in
Wellington.
The event will include four family-friendly iconic cycle rides in Nelson, New Plymouth, Auckland and Christchurch on
Saturday March 5, 2011. The aim is for each participant to seek financial sponsorship from their community to complete
the cycle route.
“This is a great opportunity for everyday Kiwis to play their part in breaking the cycle of poverty. It’s so easy to get
overwhelmed by the needs that surround us, said TEAR Fund Poverty Cycle endorser and Kiwi sporting legend, former All
Black, Michael Jones. The TEAR Fund Poverty Cycle is an opportunity for all New Zealanders to get fit, have fun and make
a difference.”
TEAR Fund executive director Stephen Tollestrup said, “TEAR Fund is a Christian organisation that provides assistance to
the world’s poorest. Our goal is to provide long-term sustainable solutions to poverty in the developing world. Poverty
is a vicious cycle of despair, humiliation and oppression. This new TEAR Fund initiative allows Kiwis to help break the
cycle of poverty, by participating in the Poverty Cycle.
We are excited about this new venture and believe this event will allow New Zealanders to make an extraordinary
difference.” TEAR Fund was registered as an NGO in 1975. Its projects include Disaster Relief, Community Development,
Microenterprise and Child Sponsorship. TEAR Fund is the third largest Non- Government Organisation in New Zealand, with
a supporter base of 45,000.
Start gathering a group together and collecting sponsors for the nearest poverty cycle near you. Check out website that
goes live from Tuesday 23rd November www.povertycycle.org.nz to `get fit, have fun and make a difference’.
ENDS