February 17 2011

INTERNATIONAL aid agency TEAR Fund has set its sights closer to home by joining with Auckland’s Brothers in Arms (BIA) to help at-risk youth in the city through a new cycling event, the TEAR Fund Poverty Cycle.

TEAR Fund’s Poverty Cycle aims to raise $500,000 for at-risk children and youth in New Zealand, and its child projects overseas. Riders in four main centres are raising sponsorship by participating in family-friendly Poverty Cycle rides being held on March 5, in Auckland, New Plymouth, Christchurch and Nelson. Some of the money raised in Auckland, will go to Brothers in Arms.

TEAR Fund executive director Stephen Tollestrup said it was great to be partnering with Brothers in Arms to ensure young people in New Zealand weren’t falling through the cracks, and that they were getting the help they needed to create a better future. “Our projects overseas are all about creating better futures for the most vulnerable children in the communities we work with.

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BIA general manager Wade McMillan said, “It’s great to have an international aid organisation such as TEAR Fund drawing attention to the need in our own backyard, and actively getting involved. BIA is committed to getting caring New Zealanders involved in supporting our young people, particularly those who really need it. This event is also about that, getting involved, and we feel very privileged to be a part of it and hope that it is a great success for everyone who gets stuck in.”

Mr Tollestrup said that, while TEAR Fund was an international aid organisation pledged to help the poorest, it had always set aside a portion of its budget for projects in New Zealand. “This is us being a little more upfront about that and supporting an organisation we really believe in.”

Mr Tollestrup said: “We are happy to support the excellent work being done among Auckland’s youth. BIA has an exceptional programme mentoring youth to prepare them to lead productive adult lives.”

To register to ride go to www.povertycycle.org.nz

Caption: Brothers in Arms: Wade McMillan of Brothers in Arms (L) and Stephen Tollestrup of TEAR Fund will cycle together in the first TEAR Fund Poverty Cycle. Proceeds from the Auckland fun ride will go to both organisations to help at-risk youth.

Notes for the Editor: The event comprises four family-friendly Iconic Cycle Rides in Auckland, Christchurch Nelson and New Plymouth on March 5, and a promotional ride covering the length of the country with two core teams of up to eight members. They will ride from February 22 to Friday March 4, 2011. The North and South Island teams will converge on the steps of Parliament.

ENDS

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