Providing opportunities for blind and visually impaired athletes
Tim was a member of The Tandem Project, a national not-for-profit organization that provided opportunities for blind and visually impaired athletes to train and compete in triathlons. The vision of the Tandem Project was to shape unique experiences, foster extraordinary partnerships and inspire epic accomplishments that change the lives of people who are blind and sighted.
The Tandem Project focused on the personal development of the blind and visually impaired using triathlon as the catalyst for change and empowering individuals via sport through a development program. The Won With One team was a program of the Tandem Project that focused on showing the abilities of the blind and how they are to be regarded as equals in sport and in life.
Access to sport for the blind and visually impaired community is not based on lack of ability, but rather a lack of opportunity. The Tandem Project strived to provide those opportunities so all persons were able to compete as equals.
With the assistance of a sighted guide, athletes swim 1500 meters, bike 40 kilometres on a tandem and then run 10 kilometres. This unique partnership is built on trust and mutual respect for the sport and the athlete's personal race goals. Whether competing for a time or just for fun, The Tandem Project was dedicated to supporting its team members on and off the race course.
Tim has guided blind and visually impaired triathletes in several cycling events, triathlons, and running races, including three Boston Marathons, in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
In 2016 Tim produced a comprehensive training manual for triathlete guides. This was the first document that captured all the information required in order to begin guiding blind and visually impaired athletes, and is available free of charge. To date it has been distributed to over 20,000 people throughout Canada and the United States.
Tim was a founding member, and a member of the Board of Directors, of The Tandem Project.
Providing opportunities for young people
Tim participated in the Tribuddy program through the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ottawa for four years. The Tribuddy program matches volunteer adult triathletes (Adult Buddy) with youth between the ages of 8-14 (Youth Buddy) to foster a positive and fun triathlon learning experience. With the assistance and support of the Adult Buddy, the Youth Buddies learn the fundamentals of triathlon, participate in sessions of swimming, biking and running, and, if they choose, may race in an age-appropriate triathlon near the end of the summer.
Providing opportunities for shut-ins to enjoy nature
Tim provides technical writing and communications services on a pro bono basis for the Forget For A Moment Foundation, a registered charity based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Foundation collects funds to finance, build, and ensure a part of the ongoing maintenance of natural structures located in health care facilities.