Andrew Grene
The Haiti relief fund is particularly close to the hearts of the staff at Nimlok. Managing Director, Tim Perutz, lost his best friend in this tragic disaster. Tim had known Andrew Grene for over 30 years and when the news reached the UK about the earthquake, he immediately thought of Andrew. His work for UN Peacekeeping encompassed troubled areas across the globe, from Africa, to Asia to Haiti. He always saw the best in people, individually and collectively. Individually he loved his family, friends, and so many people to whom he reached a helping hand, with a love that was as deep as it was unstinting. Collectively, he loved, admired, and believed passionately in his work, and held no cause higher than that for which he gave his life, the cause of the Haitian people. From the bottom of his being, he believed in the joy, spirit, and potential of all people.
Andrew died when the UN HQ building in Port-au-Prince collapsed on the evening of 12th January 2010. He is survived by his twin brother Gregory, wife Jennifer, children Patrick, Alex and Rosamund and mother Ethel.
When a natural disaster like this happens it brings people together across the globe all with one aim in mind, to offer aid and relief to the victims of the disaster. Simon Cowell has teamed up with The Sun newspaper and various artists have pulled together to take time out of their busy schedule to record a charity single for tax free release, so all proceeds go to the Haiti relief fund. Many businesses have made donations to the fund too.
Local manufacturer and supplier of exhibition and display solutions, Nimlok, have been holding a silent auction for a week at their UK headquarters in Wellingborough. Staff have pledged items such as; Garden bench, mountain bike, cooked breakfast for four, clay pigeon shooting lesson, guitar lessons, designer handbag, cup cakes, handmade designer jewellery, Scottish holiday cottage, professional manicure, homemade cookies, peeling & brightening facial, homemade limoncello, gourmet meal for four, PC doctor for an hour and tickets to an Easter event at Santa Pod. All staff members and their friends and family have been invited to bid on these items in the form of a silent auction with all proceeds going to the Haiti Relief Fund.
The grand total is still to be confirmed as cash donations are still coming in but so far, Nimlok have raised a staggering £3,500.00 in one week.
Tim Perutz commented; ‘I am so very grateful for the support of my friends and colleagues at Nimlok during this devastating time. Andrew was my closest friend and I shall miss him dearly. I am delighted that the silent auction has already raised £3,500.00 for the Haiti Relief Fund and that we have been able to help in some small way’.
A spokesperson for Nimlok has announced that Tim will shortly be setting up the Andrew Grene Foundation which will provide educational assistance and involve itself in support to the Haitian people where a transformational difference can be made.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
