Rob in the ‘Hood: Johnny Louch: The man who makes it happen
Johnny, of course, is also a sporting legend, both on and off the field.
Greetings. A couple of weeks more and we will be in the last quarter of the year.
We face many adversities, but we bounce back, making the best of it, and just get on with living the good life.
A question of sport
I mentioned last week that Johnny Louch had called by to meet sporting stalwart Russell McKinley.
ALSO READ : Rob in the ‘Hood: Sporting legends call back the past
The spotlight was on Russell, who had an amazing sports career as a youngster.
This seems to have had something of a sporting spin-off as a few more ‘old-timers’ who knew, or played with or against, ‘Rus-Mac’, are now in contact with him.
Johnny, of course, is also a sporting legend, both on and off the field.
From the days when he was a player in the old NFL, to raising funds for the less fortunate through the charity organisation, Expro.
Expro has assisted many former sportsmen and women whose careers were relatively ‘short but sweet’.
Toys for joy
Expro ultimately extended its charity activities to under-privileged and orphaned children, of all races.
Its Toys for Joy programme, in tandem with Rotary International, started 15 years ago.
This year’s fund-raising has not been easy, due to the coronavirus, with its charity events in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg placed on the back-burner.
Fortunately, Johnny’s efforts to make a child happy at Christmas continue to be successful.
From a modest initial number of 60 toys, Johnny has been able to buy some 4 000 toys from manufacturers over the years, thanks to their generosity and largesse.
Many former sporting greats like cricketer Mike Procter and SA Olympic swimming champion, Chad Le Clos, have given of their time, winner’s medals and memorabilia for auction to raise funds.
All hands on deck, please
Yvette Roberts, daughter of the late Barry Roberts, a former Rotary president, pleaded with ‘Louchie’ to continue the initiative in honour of her father’s fine work and efforts.
To date, some 100 toys have been collected, but more are needed. Donations in cash or kind will be gratefully accepted.
Contributions may be dropped off at the Margate Bowling Club collection centre.
Rotary Club of Hibiscus Coast president Gavin Jepson and his team will wrap the presents, ready to give to a child at Christmas.
As Johnny says: ‘There’s nothing quite like seeing a child’s eyes light up and the smile on their face, knowing they have not been forgotten at this special time of the year.”
Contact Johnny at 083 2539825 for more information.
Louchie’s knees and legs
Johnny’s efforts have not been helped by having had to have his legs seen to.
Taking time off for surgery and now bandaged up to the hilt, Johnny is certainly not on his last legs and will happily be with us for some time to come.
However, he will be out of action for a wee while longer and will not be available to dance the ‘Gay Gordons’ on Robbie Burns Night!
Also, he will not be entering this year’s knobbly knees competition at Margate Bowling Club.
Make a speedy recovery, Johnny and all the best in your endeavours.
The waiting is really over
Let the games begin. Nothing but blue skies from now on. A time for friendships to be put temporarily aside.
People with strange-sounding names like Kloppo and Pep will again be familiar, even to those lovely ladies who ‘know nowt’ about the off-side rule.
See you, Rob.
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