Family and friends of keen surfer Nick Collings took to the water to bid him a saltwater farewell on Saturday.
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They paddled out at Shallows, one his favourite breaks off the coast of Shell Cove, to spread his ashes across the waves, along with hibiscus and frangipani flowers.
Mr Collings died on January 24 after a two-year battle with renal cancer and his partner Ann Goldsmith felt the saltwater was the perfect place to say goodbye.
‘‘I think it was a fitting service for him,’’ Ms Goldsmith said.
‘‘We had a funeral service for him in the chapel at Lakeside and we showed pictures of him and video of him but the paddle-out at Shallows really signifies who he is.
‘‘For him that would be the send-off that he would like - all the kids were in the water, our grandkids on surfboards. That’s what would make him buzz, what would make his heart sing.
‘‘That’s who he is, a funeral service in a chapel is not a send-off for Nick.’’
Once Mr Collings was diagnosed he and Ms Goldsmith began a fight to get access to a chemotherapy drug that could prolong his life.
The drug company that made it gave him a free month’s supply, Hospital Hill Pharmacy donated two months’ worth and a fundraising campaign came up with $3200.
With the help of the drug, Mr Collings lived for 22 months - more than double the initial 10 months he was given at diagnosis.
Ms Goldsmith said she was going to continue the fight for a fairer go for terminal cancer patients.
She is joining Sick or Treat founder Richard Vines to speak at a Senate Committee and plans to put the money raised for Mr Collings treatment towards the creation of a foundation to help others in the same situation.
‘‘It seems sometimes the cancer patients, especially if they’re terminal, they just get shoved to the back of the room,’’ Ms Goldsmith said.
‘‘You’re terminal and no-one really wants to help you.
‘‘There are alternatives out there, they may not cure the cancer but they can certainly give you a lot more time.’’