World Triathlon Corporation, owner of the global Ironman, IronGirl and IronKids brands has announced its contribution to the oil spill relief effort in the Gulf of Mexico. The Ironman Foundation, the company’s charitable arm, has earmarked a total of US$100,000 to support the relief efforts.
The foundation’s first donation of US$25,000 will be made to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, an organisation that has been instrumental in assisting those affected by the oil spill in the state of Louisiana.
Ironman, headquartered off Florida’s West coast, plans to offer additional assistance to related organisations in the coming weeks.
President and CEO of Ironman, Ben Fertic said, “My family has been in Florida for six generations and I am devastated by the BP oil spill and the ongoing destruction it is causing not only to the environment, but also to the families whose livelihoods are dependent upon the Gulf of Mexico.
“As a company, we are always looking for unique ways to help preserve the natural resources in our host communities. We believe our contribution to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans will offer direct support to the fishing and shrimping families in their time of need. We look forward to providing additional aid to clean-up efforts around the Gulf Coast and hope these types of donations will have a meaningful impact.”
Since its inception in 2003, the Ironman Foundation has raised more than US$3,500,000 through various initiatives, including a charitable eBay auction. Throughout the last eight years, the foundation has provided charitable assistance with donations and grants being received by a variety of local and worldwide organisations such as: The Pediatric Cancer Foundation, C Different, The American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boy Scouts of America, among others.
