If you’ve ever attempted a hill on a bicycle, spare a thought for Tenzing Norsang and friends in Kathmandu this week. On 16 September, Tenzing (Chairman of the DGH alumni association, GO) and his team of intrepid cyclists are embarking on a 350-mile journey through some of the hilliest terrain on earth.

The trans-Himalayan epic begins in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, and will end in Kalimpong, India, six days later – and it’s all in aid of Dr Graham’s Homes, raising funds to improve the campus in one of the most challenging ways imaginable. 🚲

20 years of mountainous fundraising

BikeforDGH, as it’s now known, was the brainchild of our charity Patron, Rev John Webster. In 2006, John launched the first “3Ks tour” through Kolkata, Kathmandu and Kalimpong. Fast forward two decades and the event is now celebrating its 20th anniversary. It’s a remarkable achievement for a project that requires a serious commitment in time, energy and grit from everyone who takes part.

But even more remarkable is the fundraising that happens thanks to the event. Each rider covers their own transport costs – all the rest goes towards infrastructure projects at the Dr Graham’s Homes campus in Kalimpong, where our sponsored children live and study.

Tenzing, tell us about your team this year: who’s riding?

This year we have nine riders and we’re excited to have our first riders from Bhutan and Australia: Kinley Tsering and Siddarth Pradhan, respectively. Five of the nine are new participants and all but one (Carolyn) are OGBs (alumni of Dr Graham’s Homes). Board of Management chairman Bernard Lyngdoh is again joining us.

For the first time in the event's history, we don’t have a participant from the UK. But a special mention for Carol McLaren from Scotland, who had all intentions of cycling with us. She had a very successful fundraising event but had to drop out due to health reasons. She is part of us and will be with us in spirit the entire way.

What are you most looking forward to this time round?

It will be the longest ride that I’ve been part of – 350 miles, or roughly 550km, and six days of riding. I am hoping that folks have trained sufficiently to endure the distance. The hot, humid days as we enter the plains will definitely be a challenge.

How much are you hoping to raise from the ride?

The expectation is that each rider raises a minimum of $1,500. We are currently $60K short of our target and hope to raise between $13.5K and $16K towards it through this expedition – and maybe more 😊. The funds raised will be added to our proceeds from the last ride in 2024 to help pay for the upgrading of the Betty Sheriff basketball arena into a multipurpose enclosed arena.

Apparently John asked you personally to take over BikeforDGH – is that right?

Yes, he caught me at the right moment in my life to continue this! I am fortunate to have the means and the blessings of my family to do this. This will be my third one. Though, after this, I do think I need a break. I have seven-year-old twin boys and a 14-year-old boy who are all growing very fast. So let's see what happens after this. For now, I am going to enjoy organising this and enjoy taking this group to the Homes.

After all the organising and cycling, what does it feel like to finally arrive at the Homes?

My first ride was in 2017, with John. We had to be diverted to Siliguri and could not end at DGH due to the political situation at the time. In 2022, right after covid, we did the trip and were actually able to finish at the Homes. The moment we entered Kalimpong, it was surreal. The air, the landscape, was like a homecoming. Tears swelled, feelings erupted and it was an amazing feeling. The school marching band came to receive us and gave us a hero’s welcome as they led us through Kalimpong town. When we entered the DGH campus, that’s when I lost it and, I must admit, tears rolled down uncontrollably – a feeling that I hadn’t felt in a long time!