Tim Bridgman's worldwide ride for Shelterbox
On Friday, May 27, Tim Bridgman, arrived in Whistler on the final leg of his round the world cycling tour to raise awareness and support Shelterbox. He had planned on leaving the next day but after reviewing the weather forecast Tim decided to stay in Whistler for an extra day. Tim (shown at Celebration Plaza with Rotarians Marg Pallot and Joan Deeks) left Whistler Sunday May 29 for Lillooet and points north to Alaska.
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ShelterBox, an international aid organization is a "project partner" of Rotary International to collaborate and combine resources for worldwide emergency disaster relief to areas ravaged by disasters by providing shelter and lifesaving equipment. In 2016, it has been deployed to various areas of the Syrian refugee crisis as well as Ecuador, Nepal, Fiji, the Philippines, and Malawi .Shelterbox's worldwide headquarters is located in the Cornwall area of the UK. There are approximately 20 international affiliates and more information about the Canadian affiliate may be found at the Canadian Shelterbox site. The Rotary Club of Whistler has donated a ShelterBox for the past few years.
On June 4, 2012 Sharon and Tim Bridgman set off from the North Cape of Norway to cycle unsupported and self-funded around the world. The husband and wife team from Devon, England were riding to raise awareness and support of ShelterBox, hoping to raise roughly $18,000 for their favorite nonprofit. They rode through Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and East Africa to Capetown in South Africa, passing through 23 countries and covering 15,939 miles. They then headed to Ushuaia in the Southern tip of Argentina and rode north passing between Chile and Argentina before reaching Bolivia which at this point covered just under 21,000 miles, climbing over 284,000 meters through 26 countries.
On April 26, 2014 in a remote area in south west Bolivia, Sharon was hit by a 4x4 and was killed instantly. Having such a love for life and everyone she met Tim was devastated at the loss of his wife and best friend. Having the desire to continue to help a charity as important as ShelterBox became even more important with so many losing the ones closest to them in an instant from natural disaster and civil unrest.
On April 26, 2014 in a remote area in south west Bolivia, Sharon was hit by a 4x4 and was killed instantly. Having such a love for life and everyone she met Tim was devastated at the loss of his wife and best friend. Having the desire to continue to help a charity as important as ShelterBox became even more important with so many losing the ones closest to them in an instant from natural disaster and civil unrest.
Now, two years after the passing of Sharon, Tim is currently making his journey through the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver, and finally finishing in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. He is in the final few months of this amazing trek around the globe. He has cycled through 39 countries, covered nearly 33,000 miles, climbed 500 km (100 km higher than the International Space Station), and been an inspiration to countless people along the way with his story of hope, loss, courage, and fortitude.
33,000 miles an 39 countries and counting More information about Tim's ride and his support for Shelterbox.
Special thanks to the Rotarians who welcomed Tim and to those who, on short notice, provided accommodation for him. Whistler Rotary clubs were very moved by Tim's story and the tragic loss of Sharon. We are very grateful for his continued support of Shelterbox.
Several days after Tim left Whistler we received word that he already arrived in Prince George. He is shown at right "stirring" the pot" in preparation for a Chili Cook-Off fundraiser presented by the members of the Prince George Rotary Club. On June 3rd the Prince George Rotary Club hosted Tim and got him involved in a chili cook off. Enroute to Prince George the frame of his bike broke and club members found someone to fix it. He had a lot of rain on the day cycling into PG. He needed and got some TLC from the Rotarians in PG.