If anyone has seen his career climb to the top of the world, Mr. Simon Fung is that person.  Simon has been in the real estate business for more than twenty years.  At his highest point, he owned five pieces of property.  This May, Simon is aiming to scale physically a trail that is near the top of our world.  He, along with twelve other friends including experienced diving coach Mr. Steve Chan, will spend 117 days hiking the 2,168 kilometre trail from Yunnan to Tibet.

They are using this walk to raise money for our Elderly Fall Prevention Programme.

Before this 2,000 kilometre walk was even an idea, Simon had plans to join Steve Chan on his Appalachian Trail hike, completed in 2016. The Appalachian Trail is a 3,500 kilometre path spanning fourteen states along the East Coast of the United States.  Hiking the entire trail takes about six months.

Simon prepared for the walk by regularly hiking the many trails in Hong Kong.  Once on a hike to the top of a trail in Stanley, he suddenly lost consciousness.  Fortunately, he eventually came to and made his way down the mountain.  Simon went for some tests and was told that his heart had stopped beating while he was unconscious! 

This piece of news did not deter him from continuing his training.  However, he felt his health and strength gradually deteriorating.

Simon checked himself into a hospital for more detailed testing.  After three days, he was told that he had a congenital heart disease.  It turned out that he was missing a heart valve.  His pulmonary valve had also begun to calcify.  He would need an open-heart surgery in the next three months in order to live. 

Fortunately, Simon’s condition was one that would aid medical research.  Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong University’s teaching hospital, quickly arranged for a life-saving surgery.

Though Simon nearly shook hands with death, he was not ready to take it easy.  Simon became even more motivated to train for the Tibet Walk.  He believed that as he entered his “young-old” stage in life, there was no better time to challenge himself and also do something to benefit the “old-old” group in the community.

When Simon started entertaining the idea of these extraordinary hikes, he had no idea that it would end up saving his own life. 

Support Simon's Tibet Walk by clicking here to donate.

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The route for the Tibet Walk extends 1,930 kilometres, 39 of which are situated at 4,000 metres above sea level, and 239 of which sit at 3,000-4,000 metres above the sea.  Along the way, you will see snow-capped mountains and cliffs.  You will go through tunnels and bridges.  You will experience extreme cold and thin air.  Sceneries you will take in include the famous Lijiang and Shangri-La.  The route is full of adventure, beauty and amazing sights.