Going the extra mile for charity in memory of sister

LOCAL woman, Helen Kay, who suffers from chronic back pain and fibromyalgia, swam 57 lengths at Frome Leisure Centre in December to commemorate what would have been her sister Fiona’s 57th birthday – and then went an extra mile (64 lengths) the next day for charity.

Fiona was diagnosed with terminal cancer five years ago after losing a battle with breast cancer, and died last June. Helen says, “She was an incredibly vibrant, determined character (managed to keep on working as a teacher right up to the end) and even went for a walk in the snow in the Pyrenees two months before she died.

“As this is Fiona’s first birthday after her passing, I wanted to do something to commemorate it, and thought I’d try fundraising at the same time. ‘We Hear You’ are a local charity offering counselling for those with cancer and their relatives. When Fi was first diagnosed, they were really helpful. I’ve also had some individual help from Jo Berry who runs a small charity ‘Building Bridges for Peace’ that mediates between communities in conflict. So I’ve asked people to sponsor me and choose which charity to donate to.”

Helen says she is not especially fit and her muscles tire easily with fibromyalgia, but she tries to swim around 16 lengths per week. She said, “One of the things Fiona said to me before she died is that you’ve always got to try to push yourself.” Fibro counselling tells you to do the opposite! During the swim I got cramp in both feet and sciatica down my left leg due to trapped nerves in my back, plus neck and shoulder pain throughout the training period, so some of Fiona’s true grit was required. But overall I do feel fitter for doing it and will try and keep it up, but maybe only half a mile a week!

“If anyone wants to donate me a massage that would be much appreciated for my aching muscles too.”

So far Helen has raised about £500 for each charity doing almost all the admin and publicity on her own. “It’s not too late to give. The ‘Total Giving’ website is a secure and easy online fundraising site:

To give to ‘We Hear You’ (cancer counselling): www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/freestyle4fionasdonors

For ‘Building Bridges for Peace’ (conflict resolution): www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/freestyle4fionadonor

“A big thank you to everyone who has given (for their generosity) and all the people who cheered me on with their comments and love.

“And a quiet thank you to Fiona for her inspiration. I’m so proud of her and I think she would have been proud of me.”

The birthday swim for Fiona took place on 13th December and the extra mile for charity was on 14th December.

For more information on the work of these charities, www.wehearyou.org.uk/ or here: www.building bridges forpeace.org/

Pictured Top: Helen and Abbi – assistant manager at   Frome Leisure Centre. Middle: Helen (L) n Fiona (R). Bottom: Fiona on a mountain two months before she died.