A Community have rallied together to help rebuild the Germiston High School Rowing Club after severe storms in Johannesburg.
The Germiston High School Rowing club is story of hard work and success despite setbacks and lack of funds. A company offered to produce a fund raising video for them (pro-bono) in an effort to improve their equipment and boat shed.
The project went from a fund raiser to an emergency situation overnight as Johannesburg experienced a huge storm on the 17 January 2019 and completely destroyed the club house, boat shed and everything in it.
Germiston High School Rowing Club is a small dedicated group of mostly black children from disadvantaged backgrounds, who despite the odds, persevere and achieve excellent results.
They are always struggling for funding, but were dealt a devastating blow when the severe storm destroyed everything they had worked for. This disaster, coming in the middle of the season is a double blow, without significant help from the community, they may never recover from this.
Niger Bakker – with the full support of Rowing South Africa – started a crowdfunding campaign to help the Rowing Club.
“I appeal to all in a position to assist to donate what you can to help with the rebuilding of this amazing club. The video here was made before the disaster and is even more relevant now.”
In just 4 days, Bakker’s campaign raised over R70 000 and also secured corporate donations.
“Rand Merchant Banks, SA Rowing’s headline sponsor, and the Team Powerhouse Trust have both committed their support to the rebuilding project.
In addition the University of Cape Town has been in touch to donate 2 boats. I will post more details once I have them.
Roger Tobler, Tim Hutton and Philemon of Virtual Rowing have also donated a brand new single from their production facilities. I’m told the boat should be ready for the RMB VLC National Sprint Regatta to be held at Germiston Lake next weekend (26/27 Jan).
The response has been unbelievable. Please keep sharing this story. Their challenges only start with the rebuilding…”
Click here to assist the Rowing Club.
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