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Kite boarders set sail for children's hospital

NANAIMO – Kite boarders to sail from Nanaimo to Sechelt and back to raise cash for B.C. Children's Hospital.

Benefits will be blowing in on the breeze for when kite boarders from the central Island sail from Nanaimo to Sechelt and back to raise donations for B.C. Children's Hospital.

The fundraising event, Kiting for Kids, will make its inaugural run across the Strait of Georgia from Pipers Lagoon Point to Davis Bay and back across the strait to Parksville in late April.

Nanaimo's Allen Berry said he and fellow kite boarders making the crossing – Ken Droog, of Parksville; Harold Grindl of Errington; Dennis McDonald of Qualicum Beach – will make the voyage sometime after April 23 when the whole team can come together and wind and weather conditions are right to make the crossing.

"Until the actual date comes, it's a little uncertain," Berry said. "It will be the 23rd of April on. We're going to be looking for the first available day where we're going to have 17 to 25 knot winds. That's ideal, but it will make it a little lumpy out there, especially for the people in the chase boat."

B.C. Children's Hospital was chosen because of its high profile, making it something people readily recognize. It also offers a online promotion for the event and provides features that make it easy for people to contribute online.

The kite boarders each have personal experience with the hospital on some level, said Berry.

"I think every one of us that are involved either know people who have had or have family members that have used B.C. Children's Hospital," he said.

The team set a fundraising goal at $10,000 and already raised about $6,500.

To make a donation and to find out more more about Kiting for Kids, please visit the event website at www.kitingforkids.com.

People can also follow event developments through Facebook at www.facebook.com/kitingforkids and on Twitter by following @kitingforkids.

 



Chris Bush

About the Author: Chris Bush

As a photographer/reporter with the Nanaimo News Bulletin since 1998.
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