‘Inspired by him’ - Holistic support CIC looks to honour a South Shields dad who was killed in Qatar
A pair of South Tyneside friends have turned a tragic loss into a project that supports people across the North East.
Two South Tyneside friends are on a mission to improve physical and mental wellbeing across the North East following a heart-breaking loss.
Kristie Graham, a gym owner and fitness coach, lost her fiancé, Robbie Robson, in 2022 after he was killed by a colleague while working on a gas rig off the coast of Qatar.
Robbie’s death left Kristie to raise their daughter Willow, 14, and son, Sefa, five, while trying to deal with her grief so she turned to fitness as a way to cope.
‘The grief hit me so hard’
The mum-of-two began working with Natalie Wiley, a South Shields-based hypnotherapist, massage therapist and 9D breathwork facilitator, who knew Robbie due to him being a friend of her brother.
Kristie commented: “The grief hit me so hard, and at the same time I was trying to hold things together for our children, Willow and Sefa, who’d just lost their dad.
“Fitness has always been a big part of my life, so I threw myself into training.
“It gave me some structure and kept me going, but on its own it couldn’t touch the grief. I was exhausted, I was losing weight, and I was still sinking.
“I’d had therapy through the NHS, but it just wasn’t enough. It’s a service that is already struggling to cope with demand and long waiting lists.
“I felt completely lost until I started working with Natalie.”
Launching a Community Interest Company
The pair began discussing how they could use their combined experience to support other people and launched FitFam X Realign Health & Wellbeing CIC as a result of their friendship.
The Community Interest Company brings together physical movement, emotional wellbeing and nervous-system support for individuals, young people and workplaces.
Natalie said: “Primarily, we want to help people, but there are also major benefits for businesses in supporting their employees to become healthier and happier.
“We can help businesses reduce sickness absence, improve productivity and create a happier working environment.
“We work with people of all ages and tailor our support to what is likely to benefit them most.”
Honouring Robbie’s legacy
As well as supporting other people, Kristie has explained that the new CIC also represents a lasting legacy for Robbie.
She added: “Robbie would light up a room when he walked in, and all of this has been inspired by him.
“Losing Robbie was incomprehensible, and it had a devastating impact on so many people.
“He inspired me to help others, and he inspired my sister Carla to pursue her dream of becoming a firefighter.
“He loved life, and he’d love knowing that good, positive things have come from him.”
Supporting the South Tyneside Pledge
Since launching the CIC in April, the pair have went on to speak at a South Tyneside Pledge networking event to give fellow signatories an insight into how they are providing more holistic support for local people.
Councillor Elliot Curry, Lead Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Investment at South Tyneside Council, said: “I think people in the borough will remember the heart-breaking story of what happened to Robbie.
“It shocked the whole community and I can’t imagine the impact it must have had on those who loved and knew him best.
“However, it is incredibly inspiring to see something so positive come from such a tragedy.”
You can find out more about FitFam X Realign at: https://www.instagram.com/fitfamxrealigncic/.