Why I Am Biking for Altitude: Tim’s Story
I first heard about Himalayan Life in 2014. Heidi and I attended a small fundraiser where Daniel Burgi (CEO and Founder) shared the Himalayan Life story. He shared stories and showed us countless images of small children that had been abandoned, left to fend for themselves in the streets. These children had nothing; no food, no clothes, no love, no future. Seeing children no older than my youngest daughter Lucy (who was only 3 years old at the time) in this situation broke my heart. Daniel shared how it was their mission to help these children: to protect, nurture, and educate them.
Heidi joined the Board of Directors the next year and has since travelled to Nepal multiple times. I have been able to hear firsthand about the difference Himalayan Life has been making in these children’s lives. When the opportunity came up to join the Altitude ride, I jumped at the chance. I love cycling and was excited to have the opportunity to go on this adventure with a purpose. I think Daniel summed it up best when asked why he planned this ride.
“I firmly believe that education is the key to transformation. Through ALTITUDE, the ride in Ladakh, I want to highlight the need for education for the many families who still have no access to schooling for their children. It is an opportunity to experience in a very small way the perils of their plight: always exposed to high altitude, thin air, every step a step in the unknown, never inside your comfort zone” – Daniel Burgi
Tim Epp, Altitude Cyclist
