Can we help Tye 'slam dunk' this!

My name is Robyn Lindsay and I have the absolute pleasure of being Tye Dunn-Astill’s aunty and also one of his biggest advocates! On behalf of Tye, we would just like to take a few minutes of your time to bring before you some exciting news that will see Tye enter this next chapter of his life, but news that humbly seeks a little assistance to give this next chapter a little more momentum.

From a very young age, Tye has been chasing a dream. Throughout the years playing sport for Tye has been his lifeblood, sport is as much to Tye as is breathing itself! Whether that be kicking around a football for many years, or bouncing a basketball for hours and hours on end each day – sport is important to Tye. Quietly from the sidelines of life, I have watched over the last few years all that Tye has given to his basketball in particular, but more importantly I have witnessed all that basketball has given to Tye. Basketball for Tye is an endless source of joy (as is his faith in God), and it is through this joy that I have watched his true character arise. And it his love of sport and in particular his love of basketball that has placed a dream upon his heart! His dream?? To play basketball professionally one day!

So for the past two years, Tye has been working tirelessly & vigilantly inching closer to his dream.

Fast forward to 2021, and right on the cusp of this latest round of COVID lockdowns, Tye gets word from a Prep Sports Academy in USA, Florida Coastal Prep Sports Academy, located in Fort Walton Beach, Florida that he has been accepted into their program. The program commenced in September and runs through to March 2022, and is a ‘bridge’ or ‘stepping stone’ for those seeking to further earn a full scholarship and head to college fulltime. Exciting! The program is not only about furthering ones basketball skills, but also encompasses a life skills program; business leaders initiative and a community service program.

But Covid lockdowns have prevented Tye from getting there for the start of the program, and MANY hurdles have had to be navigated by Tye in this lockdown period to get to the point where he can safely say he can now board a plane and get going. To navigate the issue of the necessary I-20 certificate; then apply for his F1 Student Visa; and then apply for a travel exemption (just to name a few) when various offices and embassies have been operating on limited opening hours, or some fully closed for months on end – to say the least, has be testing. Not to mention, overseas travel has been restricted until very recently. But Tye has persevered and taken each day as it comes and on late Friday afternoon got the final piece of paper in his hand – almost like Willy Wonker’s Golden Ticket – he got his travel exemption from the government to travel overseas!

But there are still a couple of more hurdles to navigate to get him on his way, but now they have become somewhat pressing hurdles in terms of timing.

So how can you help you may ask?

Tye desperately wishes he didn’t need to ask for help, but he is humbly seeking funds to help him pay the remainder of his academy fees, and help inch his dream forward a little more. Tye was blessed to be awarded a half scholarship into the program, and has been paying towards the balance owing, but that still left a substantial amount for him to contribute, along with all the other sundry costs to cover in getting him abroad. With flights, insurances and the shortfall of academy fees Tye is still $15,000 short. With only receiving his acceptance to the academy a few months back – he has thrown everything he has at this in the meantime – time, money, applications for this, applications for that, and bucketloads of faith.

So!! Are you a sports fan yourself? Or have you yourself ever had a life-long dream? Or do you have a passion for seeing others further their education? Or maybe are you just like me, an aunty that just wants to see her nephew’s character continue to grow and flourish via life’s many amazing opportunities?

Well if you would like to contribute to the next chapter of Tye’s life, buy into his dream so to speak, he anticipates being on a flight to the USA in the last week of October as he has quite a bit to hurriedly make up for once he arrives! Gulp! Any funds gathered in this next 10 days or so will be overseen by myself on Tye’s behalf and administered towards the outstanding costs as required. If you are unable to contribute financially we totally respect that, but would ask maybe if you would consider keeping him in your prayers, or if you know of his family and friends, maybe occasionally ask after him in conversation so that you are kept abreast of his dream chasing happenings Thank you for your time in reading this – that alone is greatly appreciated – and here’s hoping a collective of people may be able to assist Tye in ‘slam dunking’ this next ‘hurdle’

Let me close with an aunties reflection. Many people spend a lifetime chasing after dreams—only to find emptiness in its accomplishment. Others never quite make it to their dreams and resign themselves to failure. I am of the opinion that dream chasing is only relevant if it’s rooted in God’s calling on your life. I truly believe that God has sparked a dream in Tye’s heart, and thus he won’t be able to let it go— he will chase it until God’s purpose has been fulfilled. Keep chasing Tye. Love Aunty Robyn xx