Pietersen driven to raise money after watching devastation of Queensland floods
By ANISaturday, January 15, 2011
LONDON - England batsman Kevin Pietersen has said that he offered to auction off his Ashes kit to raise money for the flood victims after watching shocking footage of the devastation in Queensland.
Raging floodwaters have swamped thousands of homes and businesses in Queensland, leaving at least 25 people dead and over 100 missing since late November.
Rail lines and highways have been washed away in what is shaping up to become Australia’s costliest natural disaster.
“Waking up a couple of days ago in Adelaide and seeing TV footage of the devastation in Queensland was shocking. Seeing pictures of the Brisbane restaurants that we were eating at during the First Test of the Ashes now submerged really brought the horror home,” Pietersen wrote in an article for the Sun.
“One of Australia’s major cities is almost underwater and it is unbelievable, just horrendous. A couple of the staff working with us are from the Brisbane area and they have families and friends there, so we have been hearing some horrific stories about what is happening. That is why I want to do anything I can to help,” he added.
The 30-year-old also described the floods as “horrific” and “heart-breaking”.
“To see little kids and families affected is so hard. Sporting rivalries are forgotten at a time like this. No matter what race, religion or colour, people are people and you don’t like to see people in trouble,” Pietersen wrote.
“It is horrible when these things happen and you just want to help. I thought this would be an opportunity for me, in my small capacity, to try to do something,” he added.
As part of the auction offer, the lucky person will receive tickets to an ODI between England and Australia in Perth on February 6, and will be invited to watch the tourists train on February 5.
Pietersen has also offered to pay for airline tickets and hotel accommodation for the winning bidder.
The auction still has seven days to run, but already the highest bid has been recorded at 31,400 pounds. (ANI)
