Community rallies behind young West Rand cricket player

A West Rand community has rallied around 13-year-old Kyle Lessing after a medical emergency during a school cricket match.

Kyle was playing for Laerskool Dr Havinga on 3 August when he told his coach he was feeling unwell. He then collapsed and stopped breathing. A teacher immediately began CPR while an ambulance was called. According to Jacaranda FM’s report, Kyle’s heartbeat returned after about 20 minutes.

Kyle remains in hospital in Johannesburg while doctors monitor his condition. An MRI scan showed that he suffered hypoxic brain damage after being without oxygen during the emergency.

Friends and strangers step up

The frightening incident has brought Kyle’s school, friends and wider community together around his family.

A friend of the family started a BackaBuddy campaign to help Kyle’s mother, Charlene, with everyday expenses while she spends time at his bedside.

Charlene is a single mother supporting Kyle and his 14-year-old sister, Chloe through commission-based work. The family lost Kyle and Chloe’s father several years ago.

The school community also approached Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels programme for assistance.

The Good Morning Angels Fund has committed R100 000 to the family. The first R50 000 will help cover current expenses and lost income, while another R50 000 will help prepare the family’s home for Kyle’s needs after his hospital stay.

Blue for Kyle brings people together

Support has also spread beyond the school gates. A report by Briefly highlighted the #BlueForKyle initiative, which encourages people to wear blue on Friday, 28 August in solidarity with Kyle and his family.

For Charlene, the support offers practical help during an uncertain time. What began as a medical emergency on a West Rand cricket pitch has brought teachers, friends, donors and members of the public together around one local family.

Kyle’s story is now also a reminder of how quickly a community can rally when one of its young people needs support.