UK Alumni Send Love and Support From Across the Pond

By Rose Cahalan in Chapters, Special, TXEX on August 25, 2011 at 11:31 am | 4 Comments

Texas Exes chapters and networks around the world proudly call themselves members of the UT alumni community. Nowhere is the meaning of that word, “community,” more evident than it was in London last week. In the wake of a tragedy in Texas, UK alumni and friends came together to help out.

On July 2, Joshua Berry, BA ’92, Life Member, his wife, Robin, and their three children, Peter, 9, Aaron, 8, and Willa, 6, were driving home to Houston after a family vacation in Colorado. They were looking forward to celebrating the Fourth of July. As they passed through Fort Stockton, their minivan was struck head-on, killing Joshua and Robin. Peter and Aaron were both paralyzed from the waist down. When paramedics arrived at the scene, Willa, who suffered several broken bones, was alert enough to share the contact information of family members.

A few days later, Carra Kane, BA ’97, UK Chapter President, heard about the tragedy from her mother, a teacher at the Berry children’s Houston elementary school. With the support of the other chapter members, Carra decided to rename the chapter’s annual softball tournament “Bat for the Berrys,” and to donate the funds raised to the children’s trust.

On Aug. 20, more than 75 UT alumni and friends — including, Carra says, alumni from many other American universities— gathered in London’s Regent’s Park. Undaunted by pouring rain, they played softball and shared boxes of pizza. Families brought baked goods to sell. They raised more than $1,500 for the Berry children. And at the end of the day, the sun came out.

Jennifer Kirstein, BS ’02, Life Member, with Carra Kane’s children (Jadyn, 5, and Devin, 2). Photo courtesy Carra Kane.

Tags: chapters, england, london, UK