Pawson Family

Sean (Midlife and luvin it)
When I came back from India I didn’t want to simply stow away the digi photos, share a few travel yarns and slip back into the current of consumer living. The faces of broken and brave children were etched on the back of my eyelids. They enriched me with their welcome, courage, joy and tenacity and I felt compelled to do something to bring them help and hope in return. This project represents my attempt to take the talents, values and beliefs we have downloaded from the rabbi Jesus and a heap of good people around us, and leverage them on behalf of the voiceless and faceless poor. I feel blessed out of my stinky riding pants to be able to do this with an awesome bunch of family and friends. I’m trusting and praying that our little efforts will stir peoples hearts and unleash a wave of compassion and generosity towards the poor”.

Gill (Forever young)
“As the “mum” involved in this project it has always been my interest to help equip parents to raise their children the best way they can. What impacted me the most in India were the families we saw who were struggling to survive and missing out on the basic necessities of life – things that I have come to take for granted here in NZ. I will definitely getting outside my comfort zone riding the tandem on this expedition. I know however that I will be helping my fellow “partners in parenting” to provide for their children.

Benjamin (19yrs)
Hey there im Ben and at 19 I am the eldest of the Pawson siblings. Im keen on the outdoors and have a real sense of adventure so upon the completion of our cycling with the poor project I am hoping to enter into a diploma course based around outdoor recreation and leadership. While I did not travel with the others to India I do have a young child in Malawi that I sponsor through World Vision so I am eager to help raise money for the children in the born to be free programme. As a keen mountain biker myself this experience will not only be exciting but also rewarding in its own way, knowing that young children have been given hope.

Bethany (17yrs)
Hey there, I’m Beth, the second eldest, and most certainly first wisest of the Pawson clan :P.
Currently occupying my life quite nicely is the never-ending busyness of seventh form and school responsibilities… balanced of course, by wild times with the friendzies and family and a good dose of music.
India was a verbally indescribable experience. A trip that will lie imprinted in my mind and on my heart forever. Once faced and felt, never ever forgotten. To me, raising money for these kids through Cycling with the Poor is not simply sending a cheque and hoping that as a result, they will experience a better life. It is an active means of sacrificing personal time, and by all means energy, to ensure that these kids gain the freedom they deserve. The freedom that I have been blessed with. It’ll be a crazy, exhilarating and certainly challenging ride both physically and mentally, but for these kids…Bring it on!

Anna (16yrs)
Hey everyone I’m Anna. I’m a 16 year old competitive netballer who enjoys a challenge. After travelling to India with my family in April 2007 I came to realize just how privileged I am to live in a place like NZ. As a result of my sights and travels I have become inspired to be a part of the Cycling with the Poor project. I’m looking forward to riding for a couple of days on the back of the tandem. It sure will be challenging. But I’m up for that. I’m trusting my few days riding will help to bring freedom to many kids. It’ll also help me get in some good “off season” netball training!

Elizabeth (14yrs)
While I was in India one night I was walking home and attached to my arms were about ten young children who lived in poverty. I went to say goodbye and just as I did one asked me I could please kiss her hand. I looked at her and then tilted my head and kissed her hand. I blinked and as I opened my eyes I saw nine wee hands thrown at me. That night I saw a need for love and a need for compassion. Because of this I have decided to be one of the cyclists for the cycling with the poor project. I want to help Children and families in crisis discover freedom.

Isaac (12yrs)
Hey I’m Isaac, the youngest of us five kids. I wouldn’t say I love being the youngest, but it comes with its advantages. I wouldn’t say biking was my passion either, but I’m ready for the challenge and ready to see how much you and I can make a difference in the lives of these children living in crisis.

Support Crew

Peter Stray
There are plenty of challenges out there to test our determination but this one has really got me sweating as I aim to follow this awesome family on my own set of wheels every step of the way.
No child deserves to have their childhood taken away from them and if through this important project we can help make a positive difference to the lives of some of these underprivileged children then our efforts will have been worthwhile.

Jocelyn Murray
Right now I am bubbling with excitement, humility, enthusiasm and apprehension as I contemplate joining the Pawson family’s selfless
adventure in ‘Riding With The Poor’.
I have always had a real heart for World Vision. This, combined
with my great love for children and desire to see them grow as the innocent, inquiring and carefree individuals they were created to be and also my love of the outdoors, made this awesome opportunity to join the support crew an easy decision.
Not often in life do these opportunities come along! It’s certainly going to be a chance for me to get ‘ stuck in’ and give my all to see the expected financial total reached – and overtaken – in order to release the children of India from the horrific situation they find themselves in.