Hi, my name is Kizzie and I'm fundraising for a memorial bench for my Dad to go along the Kent coastline.

My Dad was the person I loved and understood most in this world. He sadly and suddenly, without illness, passed in June 2025.

As next of kin, I handled all his affairs but as the person who loved him the most, it was the most heart-wrenching and ripping time of my life. To say I couldn't think straight was an understatement; one day I was laughing with him over a red pair of socks he'd just washed, the next I'm nearly fainting in the funeral directors as I'm asked "what music would you like?" when I'm still hearing echoes of his laughter over these socks.

I did everything as best I could, though having to cancel the multiple subscriptions, bills, pack up his 80 years of belongings, handle legals and negotiate with the landlord to have absolutely nothing go to plan (and have people try to take advantage), tell people of his passing and get everything "done" in 11 weeks took its toll... I forgot one thing.

It wasn't until my brother and I said goodbye to his rental home of 25years, had paid the last of the bills from our pockets, cried and said farewell to the neighbours that I realised - 'My Dad is about to be wiped from the history books.'

No gravestone, no headstone, nowhere to sit and be with him... no nothing. So focused on everything else, because everything else had a hard and fast deadline requirement.

My Dad would always have his door unlocked (typical Northerner!) for anyone to pop in, put the kettle on, have a cuppa and a chinwag with him.

My Dad was generous of heart and time, always finding a kick-up-the-arse comment for people, or a thoughtful ear. He never asked anything of anyone, without giving back. He was a man of the people. He loved to "have a chinwag and a cuppa" with friends, neighbours, my brother and I, and his Grandson.

For the first time in my life, I'm going to swallow my pride, share my broken heart and ask. Ask, that instead of buying me a coffee or pastry or paying petrol to come and see me, contribute to a memorial bench for my Dad.

I'd like to get a memorial bench along the Thanet coastline, where he lived. My choice of location has been approved by the council! I'd like this so you, the community and I can go and sit with him. Part of the money I'm raising will go to the council who prepare and cement the ground, then for the bench and engraving company who will prepare it.

And if you didn't know my Dad, well, please see this as a bench for the community. A bench for you, your friends and family to sit and talk, enjoy an ice-cream, enjoy the view and just enjoy being human in nature.

As it's by the coast, it needs to be a certain wood to handle the sea weather and waves that come over.

It would mean the world to me, as he meant the world to me.

For any donations that go above my goal, these will go to Kent Fire Brigade via The Fire Fighters Charity, as a thanks to the fire team who broke in, supported me and found Dad. I can't thank them enough.