Andrew Grene
He devoted much of his working life to the UN, and as a peacekeeping strategist he worked in troubled areas across the globe, from Africa, to Asia to Haiti. He loved, admired, and believed passionately in what he did, and from the bottom of his being, he believed in the joy, spirit, and potential of the Haitian people. Andrew gave his life in the cause of peace, when the UN HQ building in Port-au-Prince collapsed on the evening of 12th January 2010.
Andrew’s twin brother Gregory and close friend Tim Perutz, have set up the Andrew Grene Foundation in memory of Andrew to raise funds for the education of children in Haiti and to aid micro financing small scale business that can make the difference between supporting a family and poverty that is beyond most of our imaginations. In just two weeks the Foundation has received donations of over £25,000.00, a tremendous response from all corners of the globe.
One of Gregory’s close friends from college, Aisling Byrne, knows just how much Andrew meant to him. Upon hearing the news she felt she wanted to do something to help.
Just before the news of the earthquake was released, the teachers and pupils of Notting Hill Prep School held a ‘Promises Raffle’. Families and staff donated prizes ranging from a meal cooked by a celebrity chef, Bill Grainger, through dog walking, child minding, language lessons, makeovers and fashion items from Sienna Miller.
Aisling’s children had been following the reports of Andrews’s disappearance with her and events in Haiti had been discussed at length at the school. When they heard the tragic news of Andrews’s death, Aisling, her children and many of the children’s friends and teachers were deeply saddened. The ‘Promises Raffle’ draw coincided with this news and all involved were delighted for the Andrew Grene Foundation to be the recipient of the money raised. An incredible amount of money, in the region of £3,200, has been donated from the school.
Gregory commented; ‘I can’t thank Notting Hill Prep School enough for their kind donation to the Foundation. The support from friends like Aisling, and the general public has truly been overwhelming’
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
