Brainstorm receives donation
The Brainstorm Support Group received R45 000 from Camargue, a specialised liability management company, on November 4.
The money was raised through the Karoo to Coast Cycle Challenge, where the public sponsored each kilometre.
Former Sapa sports journalist and current Brainstorm member Larry Lombaard, and Camargue CEO Mitch Marescia, have a very close relationship.
Marescia saved Lombaard’s life almost four years ago.
“I was working on an article during the World Cup of how a notorious Johannesburg gang was giving young children drugs, so they could become prostitutes during the World Cup,” said Lombaard.
“When the gang members realised I was investigating their dealings two of them told me to stop or else I would be killed.
“I did not stop investigating; I went to an event in Randburg for work purposes, and about 10 gang members had followed me there.”
He stayed at the event till the early hours of the morning and, when he walked to his car, he found the gang members waiting for him.
“They hit the left side of my body with steel bars and then hit my head with the bars numerous times,” Lombaard said.
“I blacked out and woke up in hospital a few weeks later.”
According to Marescia, he was taking his children to school when he drove past Lombaard lying in the street; his conscience got the better of him and he went back to check on him.
“This donation is in honour of both Larry and Brainstorm,” concluded Marescia.
