New Zealand Aid and Development agency TEAR Fund, today announced the names of eight elite athletes who have signed up to be part of the Poverty Cycle Campaign. Endorsed by Triathlon NZ and Bike NZ, this initiative aims to raise funds for the world's most vulnerable and at-risk children both here and overseas.  Leading triathlete Clark Ellice, World Junior Champion Silver Medalist, James Oram and high performance athlete Sophie Corbidge are part of the campaign, which endeavours to raise over $200,000 by the end of 2012.

This unique partnership benefits both the athletes and the cause. As ambassadors for the Poverty Cycle Campaign the athletes are identified by wearing a reflective helmet sticker and by having individual sponsorship pages on the Poverty Cycle website. When an athlete is sponsored by a member of the public the funds raised will go towards the sporting development of the athlete and to the charitable cause.

TEAR FUND Elite Cyclists are:

• Clark Ellice –Currently ranked as one of the world’s top 50 triathletes
• Sophie Corbidge – Triathlon NZ high performance U23 athlete
• Elizabeth May – Luxembourg Olympic triathlete and honorary Kiwi, currently ranked as one of the world’s top 40 female triathaletes
• James Oram – Young NZ cyclist who won silver at the World Junior Championships in 2011
• Michael Poole – US based Kiwi triathlete
• Simone Ackermann – Triathlete ranked 20th at the World U23 Elite Champs in Beijing 2011.
• Alana Lythe – Member of the Triathlon NZ Youth Academy and 1st Intermediate Girls 2012 NZ Schools.
• Elise Salt - Member of the Triathlon NZ Youth Academy and 1st Senior Girls NZ Schools.

Stephen Tollestrup, Executive Director of TEAR Fund says, “We are thrilled to have the support of eight New Zealand elite cyclists. Our hope is that their partnership with us will provide the funds they need to continue cycling and the funds we need to continue our programs in New Zealand and the developing world.”

TEAR Fund’s Poverty Cycle Campaign also includes a corporate challenge event to be held on September 15th 2012 in Clevedon, Auckland.   All funds raised go towards the charitable cause and further information can be found on www.povertycycle.org.nz