VRA Buy a Brick campaign is still on - Donate now!
To all members, former-members and other friends of VRA
Update: we are keeping the campaign open, as donations keep coming in from all over the world.
Dear people with a heart for VRA,
Over the last several years, the City of Amsterdam and the VRA Board have had consultations about the future of the VRA clubhouse. VRA was confronted with a very high yearly rent, not covered by the state of the building and the additional exploitation and energy costs. The City of Amsterdam was working on a new policy for all sports facilities to bring down the number of owned properties including the investments required for all deferred maintenance.
During the course of this year, it became clear that the City was willing to sell the clubhouse to VRA. This would be a win-win solution for both parties. The VRA Board saw the potential of this idea and after constructive negotiations a reasonable price was established for the apprehension of the building, including the surrender of the leasehold for the surrounding terrain.
After 135 years of cricket in Amsterdam, of which 80 years in the Amsterdamse Bos, our Amsterdamsche Sport Vereeniging Volharding RAP Amstels (in short: VRA Cricket) has the unique opportunity to acquire our well known, characteristic clubhouse in the Woods.
Taking this step will not only give us control over all the necessary renovations, but it will also allow us to get a healthy exploitation of the club. And thirdly and foremost, it will safeguard our position in the Amsterdamse Bos, against the ever pushing hockeyclubs surrounding us with their continuous aim for more plastic, concrete and steel on our beautiful grounds.
According to the agreements, the transfer will take place in September. The Board has been able to raise the substantial amount of 80,000 Euro with the help of benevolent sympathizers of VRA. In order to fully comply with all the agreements, we need at least another 35,000 Euro and together we are going to get that done! Within a month! If something was worth it, then it is now!
At the request of the Board a small team has quickly organized an online fundraising campaign to reach our ambitious goal. For that reason, we have established a concrete package of bricks for VRA. So buy-a- brick and contribute to an essential part for the club.
We have 3,500 bricks for sale in 5 packages:
- 10 bricks for €100
- 25 bricks for €250
- 50 bricks for €500
- 100 bricks for €1.000
- 200 bricks for €2.000
The campaign is supported through social media, so share with family, friends, touring teams, expats, former members, schools and everyone who knows how valuable VRA’s place in the Woods is. Ask your employer or business relation to support us and make sure that we raise the €35,000.
Donating has been made very simple and secure on a special VRA-donation page on fundraising platform Raisely.com. At this moment, you can pay with credit card and with iDeal.
All the donations are processed directly and the results are displayed on the donation page, but also on the VRA-homepage. This way, everyone can see how we are doing and how many days we have left. Every donation will be shown with the name of the donator, or anonymously if someone wishes to remain anonymous. After the campaign all the contributors will be mentioned on a special plaquette in our own clubhouse.
As an extra motivation it is possible to register as a group and raise money in your name. This way you can raise money for the club and attribute the donations to your group. You can start a group as a VRA team, a family, a company, or any other organization that you choose. The winning group, that raises the highest amount will get a nice prize. If you want to participate as a group, send an e-mail to vracampaign@gmail.com and mention 1. the name of the group, 2. the contact name, 3. Contact email address, 4. your fundraising target, 5. Your fundraising motto.
We count on your contributions: Buy-a-Brick now!
