News 2010

The Sani boys were in for a major surprise at the end of May during the Winter Warmth campaign when we experienced the coldest morning of this year’s winter cycle. The guy’s braved temperatures below freezing with none other then a pair of pants and our weathered T-shirts. You start to wonder when the ex chairman – who was not destined to be there that day – sends a sarcastic sms the night before saying “outlook for the day, cold and miserable max 13 degrees with rain. Lots of love and kisses, regards Richard”. In any event with the help of Brandis’s Amarula coffee concoction we were able to muster up some 400 blankets after a couple of hours work and retired to the tavern for some well deserved ale and rugby on the big screen.

Following on in the true winter warmth spirit Sani managed to have a man sized jet master designed and built for Sunnyside Home outside Bulwer. The home is similar to Pevensy Place - also home to persons suffering from Cerebral Palsy. Much to the delight of the residents the fire place is fully installed in their entertainment hall and provides plenty of comfort.

A couple of Sani Boys ventured down to the "Big Smoke" (Durban) to raid Wandsbeck together with our Area Vice-Chairman. Great fun was had by all and it was here that Sani managed to recover some artefacts that were left lying around irresponsibly. Barry Cole also learnt the true meaning of the term “handling fee” both physically and financially!

The beginning of June saw Paul, Terence, Brian and Guy take up Margate’s Annual Southbroom Golf challenge. After Paul’s driver went AWOL in a nearby plantation following a flash of brilliance off the 6th tee box, and Paul driving the golf cart into a sand bunker followed by a 4x4 episode through an eco-sensitive marsh, we managed to round up a large portion of the prizes on offer that day. Brian and Guy managed to pull off third place, taking home with them some quality merchandise. Terence and Paul on the other hand managed to take home the coveted booby prize which comprised of about 60 golf balls each. The gents were incredibly impressed with this as they managed to virtually break even in terms of the balls lost on the Southbroom battlefield.

Sani will seriously review any further participation in this event due to the fact that they were set up to take the blame for the removal of our Area Chairman’s number plate, which had been forcefully removed from his vehicle. We were severely reprimanded at the Tri- Area conference for this – bringing our Club into disrepute. Sani marked their territory properly at these events - sorry Mr Area Chairman, we promise it will never happen again.

Sani managed to have a set of vehicle controls installed into the vehicle of Linda Brown. Linda was paralyzed in a car accident a few years ago and
we have identified her as a person who we would like to assist and contribute towards on a regular basis. There is a strong chance of recovery in her particular case and it would be great to be part of that process. Linda has now regained some self esteem by getting back some of her  independence.

The weekend of the 19th of June saw Sani multi tasking yet again with 5 couples heading down to Rocky Bay for the Tri-Area Conference (not a bad effort for Sani), whilst the other half stayed behind to run with the annual Polar Bear Party. On a annual basis people flock down to the mighty Umzimkulu River to brave the icy waters at midnight on the longest night and shortest day of the year. The event went of very well after moving back to its original venue at the lowest lying point of the Scotston Valley.

Some Sani Boys meandered down to the “Big Smoke” in celebration of the life of Greg Grant. Greg was a great Tabler and really enjoyed by all at Sani. The news was tragic but we were astounded by the support given to Nikki and family by her extended Round Table family. Tim prepared an amazing video in celebration of Greg’s life which touched the hearts and souls of all present. We still think of Greg and still talk about him; he will never be forgotten. Be strong Nikki, your friends are here for you.

This was followed by a raid together with our Area Chairman on Durban South at Berea’s Club house. We were also privileged to have Fabrizio  Altichiero present at the raid, as he had made a special trip up for Greg.

Paul Cartwright managed to carry on flying the Sani flag at Wandsbeck’s golf day by putting together a team. By all accounts the booze was good but the game shocking.

We were pleased to be able to supply Glenhaven Scripture Union - in conjunction with TWK with 2 x 10 000 litre water tanks to alleviate the problem of them running out of water, especially during winter and when they have to cater for large groups.

Sani have pledged a donation of R 5000 to the Donnae Zorich Fund. We challenged Berea to match which they have nobly stood up to and accepted. We extended the challenge to Golden East in JHB where Gus Botha our newly inducted Tabler was recently transferred to. They have not taken up the monetary challenge, but have begun the process of registering her with the Reach for a Dream project.

Mad Steve Black from Khotso decided in a moment of madness to run from his home in Underberg to visit his daughter who is living in Knysna. This is approximately 1100km, which he planned to do over a three week period. The idea sparked the campaign STEVE’S EPIC RUN FOR LEE-JAY. Lee-jay is the daughter of a local family, who became a quadriplegic following an accident when a taxi jumped a red robot and collided with her vehicle. It was decided that this would be an ideal opportunity to try to raise funds for the ever increasing medical costs, whilst at the same time Steve could fulfil his dream. This challenge requires Steve running more than a marathon every day for three weeks in a row - a major undertaking. Sani have been very involved in the project and held a “Send off party” at the Country Club on the 21st August. The evening was very well attended, showing the empathy and support of the Underberg community. We saw Steve off in style on the Saturday morning (which was -3 degrees when he took off) and set him on his way.

We arranged home hosting and fellowship for Steve at all the major stops at destinations along the way. At the date of writing, Steve has been looked after by Scottburgh, Margate and East London Tables . Steven and his support crew have been incredibly impressed and grateful for the effort and care put in by all these Tables so far. So thank you to them. He should be arriving in Port Elizabeth on the 10th September. He is scheduled to arrive in Knysna on Sunday 13th. Go Steve, Go!

Sani had the privilege of being raided by non other than our esteemed Vice-Chairman (André Krugel) together with representation from Toti as well as Water Crest (Craig and the boys). Well done guys for joining us in great fellowship in what turned out to be a rather eventful evening!

SANI HOSTS JASON HARTMAN
As if the above is not enough Sani are very proud and excited to be hosting Jason Hartman (co-idols winner 2009) at what promises to be an awesome “Fresh Open Mountain Air” concert – this coming weekend. Feedback of which will appear in the next article of SCAN - so watch this space! Thanks to Tom Pearson for arranging a live radio interview on Radio Sunny South and a slot into the East Griqualand Fever News Paper.

We still have a number of activities awaiting us for the remainder of the year ahead.