Northerns icon losing his beard for a good cause
Veliotes has decided, after five years of meticulous cultivation, to discard his renowned beard for a good cause, to raise funds for the incredibly talented Benoni Northerns Athletics Club (BNAC) development runners.
There is barely a club member who does not recognise the ginger-bearded Michael Veliotes in the corridors, watering holes or on the fields of the Benoni Northerns Club.
In fact, the affable sportsman with the distinctive long ginger beard is often referred to by his teammates and friends as ‘The World’s Greatest Ginger’.
‘Velly’s Big Shave’, as the fund-raiser has been dubbed, has been two months in the making and took place at the BNAC Golf Day on October 25.
Over and above direct donations by EFT or at the club, an auction was held on the day and the highest bidder got to shave off his beard.
“I was last clean-shaven in 2014, at the Clarens Beer Fest, which we attend every year,” recalled Veliotes.
“I decided to grow a beard and it became a massive thing, but there was no real thought behind it. It just ended up happening.”
“Ever since I had the beard, people kept telling me to shave it off, so I decided if I was going to, then why not for charity?
“The club has done so much for me, I feel I want to give back, especially to the development runners.”
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While he had understandably grown attached to his beard, he has no regrets about his decision. “I think it’s about time because people have expressed their opinions on wanting me to shave it off. I just think the time is right now.”
Veliotes had been looking for a way to give back to the community, but admitted never having been drawn to anything specific.
“The running club has been an exceptional place for me. I have grown so much, learned so many things, from completing my first marathon to finishing a Comrades Marathon. A few years back, I would have labelled that ridiculous.”
“It has been an absolute pleasure being part of such an amazing club and its members are what make it so special,” added Veliotes.
Not only is he an active member of the running club, but he has also been part of the Benoni Northerns hockey team since 2006, and also enjoys playing cricket socially. He recently made a milestone 200th first-team hockey appearance.
