Husband and wife athletes Tyler and Nikki Butterfield have joined forces with the faith-based charity Cornerstone Foundation to bring hope to incarcerated and at-risk youth, the duo announced yesterday.

The two were inspired by Cornerstone’s work to reduce young peoples’ involvement in the Island’s gang culture, Mr Butterfield said.

Calling it “a huge problem in Bermuda in the past few years”, the Bermudian triathlete — who came first in the recent Appleby Bermuda Half Marathon Derby, with his wife coming second — said he’d been disturbed by the rise in shootings.

The couple, who now live in Boulder, Colorado, together form Butterfield Racing Partners.

They have partnered with the non-profit More Than Sport — a group founded by fellow athlete Chris Lieto as a platform for professional athletes to link their competitive efforts to charitable causes.

As a result, Cornerstone is the current beneficiary of the couple’s current philanthropic efforts.

The charity also fits with the close involvement between Mr Butterfield’s family and the non-denominational church Cornerstone Bible Fellowship.

According to Mrs Butterfield, More Than Sport has “nailed the problem” for athletes who wish to make a difference and can garner media attention, but who are too stressed for time and resources to figure out how.

“More Than Sport provides a fantastic framework for us to partner with the charity of our choice — in our case, Cornerstone Foundation — and devote as much time as we’re able, within the confines of our race and family schedules,” Mrs Butterfield said.

Both of the couple, she said, have had sport to keep them busy and out of trouble, and now want to help “address the root causes of the violence”.

“What leads these children down that path in the first place? Are they missing a solid family foundation?

“Are they lacking in stimulus and mentorship? Do they simply have too much time on their hands and no means to apply themselves to something productive?”

The two called on anyone looking to benefit Cornerstone Foundation’s efforts to engage youth to donate directly through its website, cornerstonefoundation.bm.

Those looking to help can also buy Bermuda-themed shirts commemorating the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii: international purchasing and shipping options, plus proceeds, with benefit to More Than Sport and Cornerstone Foundation.

Shirts will be available via the site www.morethansport.org, the two said.