All KB4Girls Global events are non-profit, and funds raised by participants helps to fundraise money for local charities. Here at KB4Girls Lancing we would like to officially announce our chosen charity - St Barnabas House.

Earlier this year, our community was devastated to hear of the tragic passing away of local kitesurfer Fiona Claisse. Fiona died on the 18th January 2012 after battling Bowel Cancer and is sadly missed and remembered by many.

Fi was an avid kitesurfer and passionate about inspiring progression in the sport. She worked closely with her husband Rob Claisse developing the well known 'Progression' DVD's. Her philosophy to kitesurfing reflected the same view as our own here at KB4Girls; attracting more girls into the sport as well as encouraging those already kiting to learn something new. This is something Fiona took close to heart and worked to promote. She was an amazing and inspiring woman who touched many people's lives.

At only 33 years old, Fi was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in October 2011. She had chemotherapy for 12 weeks but it had no effect, with the cancer growing and spreading to her stomach, liver, jaw and hip bone. What had started as only a few years survival, changed to months and then sadly only weeks. During this time Fi showed a strength of character that was astounding, but not surprising to those that knew her best. She was in pain at many times over the whole period. But towards the end she was a lot more peaceful.

Rob has since spoken a lot about the unfailing and continued support he and Fi received from St Barnabas House. St Barnabas House is a local independent charitable hospice that offers palliative care for patients with advanced cancer and other advanced life-limiting diseases. Having an advanced illness can raise all sorts of practical, physical and emotional issues, which affect not only the patient, but their loved ones too. The hospice aims to help tackle these issues, offering expert advice and support along the way. Their patients are valued and given time, are accorded respect, privacy and dignity, and are responded to with empathy, sensitivity and honesty. Patients and families are never charged for the care they receive from the hospice.

St Barnabas House offered Fi crucial support and advice from the minute she was diagnosed right through to her final days. Anytime Rob and Fi were unsure how to deal with Fi's pain or symptoms the nurses and doctors were only a phone call away, day or night. When things became more serious both Rob and Fi were welcomed into the hospice to stay for as long as Fi wanted, and treated with incredible kindness & dignity. Rob has told us about his upmost respect and praise for the nurses and doctors who helped to make Fi's final weeks far more happy and relaxed, and has already raised £13996 to, in his words, "help St Barnabas to continue to be able to offer such tremendous service that we would have been lost without".

St Barnabas House costs £4 million each year to run, and without support from fundraising it would not be able to provide continued care and support for families across Sussex. To fund themselves they rely on donations and organise sponsored fundraising events, from sky-dives to hikes and expeditions in other countries (e.g trekking the Inca trail).

Fi will be forever missed and never forgotten. St Barnabas House was central in helping her and Rob through the last stages of her life, and here at KB4Girls Lancing we would like to honour and remember Fiona by donating any funds we raise to St Barnabas House, an undeniably worthwhile cause.

At Fi's funeral, Rob conveyed a message that he knew Fi would like him to pass on.

"Don't settle for good enough, you deserve more from your life. If you dream of something better, know that you deserve it and can make it happen".

As Fi showed throughout her life, never give up trying.

KB4Girls Lancing Chapter April Clinic

New Season - New Trick!

 

 

Location: Lancing Beach (meet at the New Sussex Pub)

Date: Sunday April 15th

Time

: 10.30am - whenever we finish!

Price: £5 donation (goes to a local charity) or FREE for KB4Girl members!

(To become a member click here!)

To register for this event please email us with the following details:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Full Name:

Telephone No:

Emergency Contact & Number:

What trick would you like to master:

Do you have any limiting conditions that we should be aware of:

Do you agree to sign the liability and media use waiver at the event? Yes/No

Are you a KB4 Girls member? Yes/No