It’s testament to the big hearts of the Cape car crews that one of the first things they do when the lockdown starts lifting is to reach out and offer assistance to those in need.
As Bobby Nitro has noticed over the years, it is not so much the petrol that powers this car community, but that the clubs are vehicles to do good.
Recently, the Holy Cross Children’s Home in Ravensmead was gutted as fire raged through the girl’s second-storey dormitories. No one was injured, but it left the centre, which looks after 96 children rescued from violence and abuse, needing clothing, bedding and other items necessary for the girls.
An appeal was sent out, and the Cape car clubs, hosted on this run by LOWstad, got it together fast to step up with donations.
Bobby spoke to Nahwaal Moses of LOWstad.
She says: “When we heard the call we invited other crews to join and collect vital items.”
Kicking off at Westgate Mall on Sunday, the crews converged. LOWstad rolled in, followed by the Opel Cartel, Polo9N Owners, 6N Polo Crew, Cape Polo Squad, the T3 Bus Lovers, Cape Town Bantamers, the Republic of 92ers and Bavaria Squad. Almost a complete car show right there in the parking lot.
Of course, all involved were careful to stick to Covid-19 rules.
Nahwaal says: “The convoy to the children’s home was massive. It was lekker to see the clubs coming together, the cars were fresh and clean and we took the two bakkies full of donations to the home where we were met by the manager, Bernard Engel.
“In fact, they received so many donations, they were able to share them out with other homes in the area. Special thanks goes out to the LOWstad member for putting the word out.”
She adds that some members of the club were even able to offer their professional services for the rebuilding.
Bernard was overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of people who responded to the call for help.
He says: “With me coming from a small town in the Northern Cape, seeing this kind of response was mind blowing, really fantastic to see. We received so many donations that we could pay it forward, sending goods to other children’s homes.”
With regard to the way forward, he says the clean-up crews are busy and they are working on a repair estimation, and that repairs would start as soon as possible.
Of course, getting out and for a good cause was excellent for all concerned.
Sharif Ebrahim, hailing from Mitchells Plain and a member of the Cape Town Bantamers, says: “It was really nice to be out and about for a change, the lockdown has put a damper on the car scene and these charity runs really bring the life back. It has not been easy, us karkoppe do not take well to being caged, but we do behave well when we get out.”
Patrick Herbert of the Opel Cartel, from Strandfontein, says: “The high part of the day for me was giving to the needy.”
He adds that the club mostly does charity work, and in fact is hosting another run this weekend in aid of a family in Portlands whose house burnt down, and the life of a four-year-old was tragically lost.
Patrick says: “Yoh, it was excellent being on the road. When the lockdown kicked in the whole scene went dead.”
And he adds, on a sombre note: “The saddest part is when the hunger set in for many families, we couldn’t go out and help them.”
Riaan Morris of 6N Polo Crew says: “The top moment for me was seeing so many clubs get together for a good cause, and to see the smiles on the faces of the children and staff at Holy Cross.”
Bobby sends a big up to all the car crews out there who step up, pool their resources, get the word out and leverage our love for cars to bring relief to the needy. Especially in these tough times.