RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond 2015 announced that ChildFund International will be the "Official Charity of Choice" for the nine-day bike race set for September.

Both organizations will co-promote a ChildFund's Dream Bike program which raises money to purchase bicycles for girls in 12 countries to attend school.

"The bicycles purchased through the Dream Bike program are more than bikes, they are lifelines to a more promising future," said Anne Lynam Goddard, president of Henrico, Va.-based ChildFund International.

ChildFund International, a global child development and protection agency serving more than 18.2 million children and family member in 30 countries, launched its Dream Bike program in 2014, according to the press release.

“The 10-Bike Challenge will be a tangible way for local companies and organizations to not only support cycling in general, but also the broader benefit of helping young girls around the world continue their education," said Lee Kallman, vice president of marketing and business development for Richmond 2015.

According to ChildFund, every year a girl in a developing country remains in school increases her future earning power by as much as 20 percent. Some of the countries involved include India, Ethiopia, and eight others throughout Asia and Africa.

For more information about Dream Bike and the 10-Bike Challenge, visit www.dreambike.org