The Boy Next Door.

42. Fundraiser

Neil and Tanya are already drinking coffee when we get to the kitchen. I blush when Tanya makes big eyes at me. Seeing my face heat up, she just smiles.

"You want some coffee?" Neil asks.

"That would be great." Jared answers for both of us.

It's too early for breakfast, so we opt to eat rusks with our coffee. Ten minutes later, Ashley and a half asleep, Justin join us.

"Did everyone sleep well?" Ashley asks, looking pertinently at me.

Blushing again, I just nod my head while the others chorus, "Yes, thank you."

As always Justin is the only one moaning, "It's too fucking early."

Once we all had coffee, Neil says, "Let's get going."

Getting our helmets we all walk to Neil's garage. Opening the door they start the bikes, letting them idle while we put our helmets on. Before the girls get on, they ride the bikes out of the garage. Once we're all on and Neil has closed the garage door, we pull away with Jared in front followed by Justin and Neil. It's interesting how they automatically fall into line according to the customs of the club, with the most experienced rider in front and the second most at the back. Already, the club's way of doing things are ingrained in them.

The streets are still quiet as we roar down the main street. The sun is already out, and it promises to be a beautiful day. When we get to the veld, there's already members of the club busy carrying equipment out of the storage room.

Once they parked the bikes next to the rest of the club's bikes, the guys immediately fall in and start to help. We help carry the smaller stuff and once the stalls are up, we help pack out all the goods that's for sale. There's a quiet camaraderie between everybody that speaks of true friendships formed.

It takes them just over one and a half hours before everything is ready. Gathering around Gary, the club president, I'm surprised to see him opening the day with a prayer. Once done he quickly goes over last minute arrangements before he says, "That's it guys, have a great day. Let's make some money for Ohlsens."

Ohlsens is the school we are doing this for. It's a small privately run school for physically and mentally handicapped children. They have fifty learners at the moment and are looking to expand the school building. They also want to build a hostel to accomodate children who want to attend the school, but can't because they are living too far from the school for their parents to drive to school every day.

The guys will be working on a rotation basis riding the bikes and we will help with the ticket sales. When we're not doing that, we will help at the games area. We all get an hour break during the morning.

Already there's a lot of people waiting for the gates to open. Tessa and two other ladies will be manning the main gate, selling entrance tickets and the elastic bundles that will be used to pay for the games and bike rides.

There's all and all thirty stalls selling all kinds of goods and they will be manned by the rest of the ladies. The food stalls will have two to five ladies manning them, depending on what they're selling. Friends of the club's wives and girlfriends are also helping to make sure everything goes smoothly. There's even some of the men helping out at the stalls.

Gary and five of the members will be in charged of the braai. All around the perimeter benches with tables have been set up. People can either eat at the veld or take their lunches home. For the smaller children they are selling hamburgers with fries and a cooldrink.

At exactly 8h00 Gary opens the gate and looking at all the people streaming in, we are in for a busy day. Jared, Neil, Justin and Gavin are the first four to man the bike rides, while Steven, the other Prospect, will be helping at the games for the first hour.