‘Tracey Lange Cares Initiative’ raises funds for BT Academy kids to return home by Thursday
Melisha Moodley of Travel Direct explains how assisting with this made her feel proudly South African and explains how heartwarming it was to see good people come together.
Kfm 94.5's Tracey Lange speaks to Melisha Moodley, a travel agent at Travel Direct.
Listen below:
Tracey Lange and the Tracey Lange Cares (TLC) initiative got involved to bring back the group of BT Football Academy players and coaches who are currently stranded in Europe.
The stranded group includes 25 kids between the ages of 13 and 18, and three coaches.
BT Football Academy recently participated in the renowned Donosti Cup in San Sebastian and were set to return to South Africa on 16 July.
Moodley offered her services to bring them back, pending donations from the public.
South Africans rallied behind the stranded team, and enough money was raised.
The boys will be on various flights back home, with the coaches, by Thursday afternoon.
Lange explains how 'phenomenal' it was to see everyone come together to help.
Moodley explains what a proudly South African moment this was, in awe of seeing people who care come together to do good.
"Yesterday for me was one of those iconic days in my life... it was so overwhelming. The amount of calls, messages and people just calling to ask if it's legitimate, verifying banking details... it was so amazing... my phone was ping, ping, ping... up until this morning. It is so amazing when people come together for a cause, and I was blown away. It was heartwarming."
- Melisha Moodley, Travel Direct
"It makes you know that people are still good and people still care. It makes you proud to be a South African. If we can do this, imagine if we need to accomplish anything else? Together, we did this."
- Melisha Moodley, Travel Direct
"I am so glad I could assist... thank you to the people and all the sponsors..."
- Melisha Moodley, Travel Direct
Lange also extends a special thanks to Christ Culture Church, which was instrumental in bringing the boys back home.
"A big thank you to one of our biggest sponsors, Christ Culture Church, who had said, 'Listen, we're reaching out and whatever you don't have, whatever shortfall there is, we'll make it happen'... It is phenomenal."
- Tracey Lange, Kfm 94.5
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Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.