Fundraiser for Drew Cumpson

Photo: Drew Cumpson in Peru, just days before his accident on May 10, 2011.

Sydenham High School alumnus Drew Cumpson, who comes from the Westport Road area, suffered a devastating accident this past summer, which has left him a quadriplegic. He is being supported this month with a fundraising dinner in Guelph.

After graduating from Sydenham High School in 2009, Drew enrolled in the Hospitality and Tourism Management Course at the University of Guelph, and at the end of his second year in the program last April he delayed taking on his co-op placement in order to volunteer with a program called Project Serve International that Guelph runs in Peru.

Just before returning home from the program, Drew was body surfing when he suffered the accident that has changed his life. He has been in Kingston General Hospital since then, where he continues to undergo intensive treatment. The fundraising dinner had an initial goal of $10,000 to pay for a wheelchair that he needs and to help with some other costs. That goal has now been reached and a new target of $15,000 has been set.

The impact that Drew has had in just two years at Guelph, which led to the support he is receiving now, can be no surprise to his family and friends back in South Frontenac.

Drew's community spirit led him being singled out as a Limestone Achiever when he graduated from Sydenham High School in 2009.

His work with student council, his achievements with the swim team (he won gold in the 200 metre freestyle and was part of a gold medal relay team as well) and his volunteer fundraising work were singled out in his citation from the Limestone Board at that time. He was also a valued employee of the South Frontenac Recreation Program, where he worked as a swimming instructor in the summer.

Drew's friends and supporters back in Sydenham are invited to help with the fundraiser. Credit card donations will be accepted by Michelle Chan, HTMSA's Director of Charitable Events via email (mchan03@uoguelph.ca) or telephone (226-979-6739). Please have all your credit card information ready when you call. Cheque donations may also be mailed to the following address with "Drew" in the memo line: Michelle Chan, c/o School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Macdonald Stewart Hall, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1. A PayPal online donation option is currently being set up and that information will be updated later.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/114375135341681/