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Welcome
My name is George Piers; I’m 41 and I live in Westmoreland, NH. In September 2005, I accomplished my lifelong dream of finishing an ironman distance triathlon in Montreal.
I recently registered for the Ironman Arizona. This time, I have a greater purpose. I am doing this event in hopes of raising money to help two different young people whose lives have recently been horribly affected by spinal cord injuries. One of the people is my godson, Drew Donnellan; the other is a young woman whom I have never met who lives in my area of New Hampshire.
About Drew
Fifteen years ago, I made a very dear friend while serving in the PEACE CORPS, Fran Donnellan. While she was a PEACE CORPS volunteer, Fran adopted an eight-month-old Jamaican boy whose name is Drew. I have the honor of being Drew’s godfather. More About Baby Drew
After completing our volunteer service, I returned to the east coast while Fran and Drew settled in Tucson, Arizona. Through the years, Fran and I have kept in touch, filling each other in on life’s major milestones. She has done a wonderful job raising Drew as a single mother. Drew, now 16, has grown to become a talented, bright and sensitive young man and a highly accomplished gymnast, reaching level 10 and national ranking as a junior in high school. More About Drew the Gymnast
And then on May 12, 2006, Drew had a horrific accident. While making a routine tumbling run, one he had done hundreds of times before, he took a fall which broke his neck. He is now a quadraplegic. News About Drew
Upon hearing of this, I wondered if there was anything I could do. At first, I would sit, stunned. What could I do to help? Continuing to think about what I could do, I thought about what I do do. I do triathlon. I have done triathlon in teams with my siblings. I have done triathlon through the early years of my marriage. I have done triathlon through the births of my two children. I have found peace in training and comradery in the community. I realized I had found a way to help.
When another young person had a similarly devastating injury close to home, I decided to take action, to sign up for the Ironman Arizona, and to do it for both of these kids.
How you can help
I am asking people to join my effort by buying a TRI-FOR wrist band. My family and friends have donated the cost of the bands so that all the proceeds from every sale will go to Drew and Kelley.
I hope you'll join me in this cause and thank you.
Sincerely,
George Piers (email me)
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