Bluff (Merebank/Wentworth) Stand Up – volunteer support

The Bluff Stand Up (Zello) volunteers have done a fantastic job using their own personal vehicles and fuel to patrol the community and to man the check-points.

Please note although the Zello group is called BLUFF STAND UP, it’s not just the Bluff. The STAND UP GROUP comprises Bluff, Merebank and Wentworth. It’s planned to be used to support the activities of all volunteers concerned.

They have endured long hours, freezing cold nights and have put their lives at risk successfully defending the malls and community. The residents of Merebank, Wentworth and Bluff owe all the volunteers a huge debt of gratitude.

I grew up on the Bluff but live overseas and have family living in the Bluff. I, like many other expats feel helpless being so far away and I am eternally grateful for the volunteer work done. I’m sure there are many expats, as well as local residents who were themselves not able to patrol (like my mother), but we are all hugely thankful to the volunteers.

This fundraising campaign has been setup so that all those who wish to show their support and assist can do now do so. This campaign is aimed to cover IMMEDIATE costs. One example of immediate need is food. The volunteers have made 211 meals this evening (17.7.21) at Wentworth bowling club to feed the volunteers keeping the community safe.

The exact mechanics of how the fund will function is still to be confirmed. Discussions with community leaders so far have suggested a small subcommittee will be formed made up of people involved with or leading the volunteers. The committee will decide how the funds can be be used, either food, firewood, possibly fuel. It’s aimed at short term needs

It goes without saying the volunteers jumped into action not expecting any reward, however I and others feel that the volunteers have all done an amazing job and it’s a small token of appreciation so that members are not financially worse off. The fund will go towards covering ongoing costs (food, fuel for generators etc, whatever the subcommittee decides on how the money can be best used.

If excess money remains once things return to “normal” the subcommittee can decide how best to utilise the monies to benefit the communities. we can distribute to help the community.

Please be as generous as you can afford to be, without the volunteers manning the checkpoints and patrolling the streets I have no doubt that many of the businesses, warehouses, malls and possible private homes would have been targeted by the looters.

I’m hoping residents of the communities as well as those businesses that have escaped so far unscathed will show their appreciation.

Edit: the description was updated as it was felt using the fund for fuel costs would be difficult to manage. Therefore it has been updated to show it will be used for immediate short term operational costs.

NOTE:

I have discussed this project with councillor Zoe Solomon and have also been in contact with the creator and admins of the Bluff (Merebank/Wentworth) Stand Up Group and other community group leaders.