Karis' dad ready for Channel rowing bid (From Thurrock Gazette)

Karis' dad ready for Channel rowing bid

8:00am Saturday 8th September 2012 in News

A DEVOTED dad is rowing the English Channel to raise money for a community centre being built in memory of his daughter, who died aged 12.

John Darling, 43, whose daughter Karis died in April last year, has spent the last six months training every weekend in Portsmouth for the challenge.

He plans to row across the Channel alongside his brothers, Karis’s uncle Dean Crampton, and other family friends.

After Karis, of Gardner Avenue, Corringham, died, her family set up the Karis May Darling Foundation to raise £220,000 towards a community centre.

John said: “We have been working really hard on raising as much money as possible for the foundation because we want to start building the community centre as soon as possible.

“It’s a real family experience and the crew is made up of brothers, with myself, my two and two other sets. Our aim is to cross in record time for our age group.”

The family are hoping to put plans into Thurrock Council for the community centre imminently.

Building work on the field opposite Karis’s former school, Gable Hall, in Southend Road, could start by November.

Karis died after contracting the streptococcus A infection, which can lead to meningitis.

So far, the family have raised £100,000 through a combination of charity events, sponsored events and donations.

John has a meeting with Thurrock Council next week, where the plans will be discussed.

To sponsor the team, visit www.karismaydarlingfoundation. org.uk or e-mail info@karismaydarling.org.uk