Felipe and Valentina

***UPDATE****

Thanks so much to everyone who has donated so generously to help Felipe. We’re closing off the Go Fund Me now so that we can get the funds to Felipe. With your help we’ve managed to raise over $5000 which will make a huge difference for him and Valentina. We are incredibly grateful

Felipe is a valued member of our local soccer team, the mighty Chelsea FC Thorough-Breads.

Felipe and his partner Valentina arrived in Australia from Colombia in 2023 and applied for student visas to study Commercial Cookery at TAFE.

They came to Australia to join his sister, who lives locally with her young family.

They recently received the devastating news that their visa applications were not successful, meaning that they would not be able to finish the studies that they have commenced and been working hard on and would need to abruptly leave family and friends behind.

The only hope left to allow them to complete their studies and remain with family is to appeal the visa decision.

This is a costly process and one that Felipe and Valentina can't afford without going into debt.

Our team was also devastated to hear about his situation. He has great integrity and pride and so was reluctant to share his struggles and was resistant to getting help from others. Felipe is a highly skilled player so will be missed on the pitch, but more importantly he is a much loved and respected member of our close-knit team and we want to show our support in every way we can.

The most important support we can give right now is financial, so that we can ease the burden on Felipe and his family.

Appeal costs, win or lose, are in excess of $10000, taking legal fees into account, so this is what we have set as our dream goal. Anything we can raise here is going to give Felipe a better chance of completing his course; in the worst case scenario - his appeal fails - we can at least ease his return to Colombia.

Thanks for your support.

Go the Mighty Chelsea Breads!