It is with a deep sadness that we learned yesterday of the sudden and unexpected death of one of our volunteers.
Dawn Lossau was an almost ever-present at our events, either as a volunteer or as a participant and, over the years (since the beginning in fact) has supported us in every way she could, including several fundraising events of her own. She was one of our first Family Support Volunteers in 2021 and has been responsible for writing and sending many of our thank-you letters. More recently she attended the Den regularly as a volunteer and was even there on our opening day – so proud was she to be one of our team.
She also helped with our social media posts from time to time and always enthusiastically shared our news with all of her many social media followers on her own page and the ‘Team Awesome’ page.
Dawn was more than a volunteer though – she was a close and very special friend of our family – one of few who could truly understand what we had been through with Finnbar. We met whilst her daughter Maisie was in Addenbrookes hospital at the same time as Finnbar in 2016 and we instantly developed an unbreakable bond with both Dawn and her husband Darrell. Sadly two years ago Dawn and Darrell suffered the same heartbreak in losing their beautiful child when Maisie passed away suddenly. Instead of letting this destroy her, Dawn continued to support us with true vigour and determination, as she truly believed in our cause. She also supported other charities close to her her heart.
Dawn was an amazing, strong and tenacious woman who we have been very proud to call our friend and who will leave a huge and unfillable hole in both our hearts and our charity.
We are truly devastated and still in complete shock. It will take a long time to process our loss and at this time we can only think of poor Dawn and her husband Darrell, who has now lost both his Daughter and his wife within 2 years, as well as the rest of her family. We will do everything we can to support Darrell through the difficult years ahead of him and of course, in time we will prepare a fitting tribute and legacy in memory of one of our most dedicated volunteers.
We know she will have touched many of your hearts as much as she has ours and will be sorely missed.
Dawn is pictured volunteering at this year’s Finnbar’s Force Family Adventure Day at Eaton Vale proudly wearing her Finnbar’s Force running shirt with Darrell.
Please feel free to leave your condolences and memories in the comments.
Nothing will be the same without you Dawn,
With love,
Tristan, Claire, Nell, Alfie and the whole team at Finnbar’s Force x