Journeys with Roy

Leaving more than footprints

I enjoy writing about people who are inspirational. I recent interview is a case in point. I met Mike Lowdon and Tina Morrell representing a foursome training hard for a trek to Everest Base Camp from March 24 to April 15, 2018.

In addition to their arduous trek they will be raising funds to rebuild a home in the village, Khumbjung, destroyed in the Gorkha earthquake of April 25, 2015. The Sherpa family is presently living under canvass. The mother, Tangii, is unwell and needs medical help. The foursome’s mission is labelled Project EBC. The four are Mike Lowden aged 56, Tina Morrell 50, Bette Chen 37 and Fergus Flannery 19.

``We Want to make a difference,’’ says Tina Morrell.

``As individuals we had had an ambition to do something challenging we had not done before. We eventually crossed paths and struck a really good friendship.’’

Mike is business development manager at Ideal Electric. Tina is involved with Toastmasters and marketing. Betty is the IT and digital marketing expert at Landpower agricultural machinery. Fergus is presently walking the Aotearoa Trail, the length of New Zealand.

``It is a massive undertaking over about nine days,’’ says Mike Lowden.

``The distance is not the challenge. More so will be acclimatising to altitude and coping with altitude sickness. We will climb over 5500 m.’’

Other expected challenges include food. Meat is not good owing to it being old when consumed. The team will likely be lacking in protein. Flying into Lukla airport at the start of the trek is another challenge, it being considered one of the world’s most dangerous. It was constructed in 1964 under the supervision of Sir Edmund Hillary.

The team has been involved in hill walking, running marathons and specialised altitude acclimatising training.

The trek has been booked with Anne Young Trekking Adventures,

``She put us in touch with the Sherpa family we want to help,’’ says Mike Lowden.

Mike is no stranger at being involved in events. He organises an annual spin bike event at Ideal Electric in Montreal Street, Christchurch. It is dubbed Tour de Montreal and is run during the famous Tour de France cycling race. The event raises funds for Special Olympics. The experience over six years has helped Mike with Project EBC.

Helping others is in his genes. It may simply be assisting someone experiencing problems in his workplace.

The team is self-supporting enabling all fundraising to go to the house rebuild project. Buckets have been rattled in workplaces. A Givealittle page is linked to their Project EBC Facebook page.

A recent presentation at Zonta Club of Christchurch-Canterbury went well creating interest amongst professional women.

``We have raised $1700 in just a month,’’ Says Tina Morrell. The goal is $25,000.’’

Mike says 2018 marks 65 years since Sir Ed summited Everest with Tenzing Norgay

``Who better to have as inspiration than Sir Ed? We will be giving back to the community as Ed did. It’s going to be fantastic.’’