Good day to everyone out there….. Usually my view is of the North from my window as I pen this message to you….today I am within three hundred metres of that window as the crow flies….but I am not at work….I am, as most of the rest of our responsible nation….at home, in isolation or under “house arrest”….as we all face this common enemy that we cannot see or hear….the dreaded COVID19…..

We have all been battered with excerpts on social media, from friends and colleagues…some of it horribly sobering, in some cases decidedly scary and somewhat frightening, some interspersed with humour, to try to make light of a dreadfully serious situation. Of course we need to maintain a positive attitude and approach to life and a balanced view as life continues….

As a Club we have adhered to the call of the President, that we close our operations in the hope that this will help in stunting the spread of this dreadful virus….we have no sport….we have no bars open….we have no people at the Club which create the usual vibrant spirit that is “the North”….

We do not know when we will open again, but are at present under the government 21 day lock down rule, that indicates that we will reopen on April 17…..and we will have a massive party to celebrate, I am sure…..

REQUEST FOR STAFF DONATIONS

The Club understandably has lost its lifeblood…there is no Bar to generate revenue…no sports to bring the people necessary that frequent our facilities….no passing trade…..and thus no work for our staff…. our committee made a magnanimous gesture toward our staff at the start of this “lock-down”….and is paying our staff for the entire expected three weeks away, including our temporary staff…but this is seriously eroding into our reserves that we have taken a long time to create….

However, a large portion of their income that our staff rely on is in the form of tips, which they will not be getting during the lock-down.

We are, therefore, requesting donations from any club member who can assist, to be paid into our bank account below, using the specific reference – Staff Wages

These donations as received, will be allocated to paying our staff, in order to tide them over, whist they wait out the time, before they get back to doing their allocated tasks at the Club. I would be most appreciative of any assistance that you may be able to spare. I list our bank account details below for you to make the deposit.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

We are also requesting members who may have not yet paid their subs, to do so as soon as possible, to assist us in the massive financial headache that most SMME’s are facing at present….

In closing I can but ask that you all stay safe…we have been through 5 days so far…16 more still to go….I think it is going to get more difficult…and it may not only be 21 days….so please all be strong over the next while…..
Take care…Rod

BANKING DETAILS

Benoni Northern Sports Club
Nedbank, Northmead Square
1903 359 465
Ref: Staff Wages