A group of Vancouver Island kite boarders plan to cross the Strait of Georgia next month all in the hopes of making a difference for sick children in B.C.
Kitting for Kids is raising money for Children's Miracle Network and BC Children's Hospital. All costs of their gear and behind the scene costs are born by the participants and volunteersand use no money that is donated ensuring 100 per cent of donations go to the hospital.
April is considered one of the windiest times of year for the Strait of Georgia, hence the month to make the attempted journey.
"We really have an opportunity to create awareness of the sport and give back to a charity that touches us all as a group," said Ken Droog, a Parksville area realtor and spokesperson for the group. "Each member of the team has had family and friends use the services of the Children's Hospital."
The group of four kite boarding enthusiasts plan to make the historic trip from Nanaimo to Davis Bay here on the Sunshine Coast and then back to Parksville.
Currently $5,575 has been raised towards their goal of $10,000.
Months of organization has gone behind this epic event. The challenge the participants face range from the required wind and the variable of theStrait known to produce gale force winds, highs seas, frigid temperatures all of which can be potentially life threatening conditions.
"For our first year we are pleased with our progress and the excellent support shown by the Vancouver Island business community for this cause," Droog said.
And the cause has become global as well.
"We extended the invitation to Sir Richard Branson to join us in our crossing, and to become an honorary member of Kiting for Kids, and are quite happy to report that although Sir Richard can not join us in the crossing, he has accepted his honorary membership," added Droog.
To find out more about the group check out http://www.kitingforkids.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kitingforkids and on Twitter @kitingforkids.
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