Kelly’s love for the country and its people began when he travelled with Apex Australia to Bacold City where he and a team of volunteers worked together to build an orphanage.

Kelly, who is a member of Bendigo’s Historical Society, recently returned from another one of his trips to the third world country.

During his three week trip to the coastal city, he made a donation to the community’s basketball-loving youngsters.

“They don’t have a lot and last year they got hit by a typhoon,” Kelly said.

“Basketball is a community activity and it brings everyone together so I asked the Bendigo Braves if they had any shirts and any basketballs that I could take over with me.

“They all play in different colours, so I thought maybe I could take something over from the Bendigo Braves.

“It was very emotional when I handed out the shirts.”

Kelly said the teens were overwhelmed by the generosity showed by him.

He said since they got the jersey’s the group of players have since formed a team.

Nicknamed the ‘Bendigo Brothers’, Kelly decided to sponsor the team, so they could play in a local competition.

“They have played two games so far and they have won both of those,” Kelly said.

“Eventually they will get a trophy and their money back.  

“It isn’t a lot of money to us, but it is a fair amount of money to them and if they didn’t get the money they wouldn’t be able to play.”

Kelly said it is always humbling to travel to the Philippines.

 “Two years ago I took two school teachers to this area from Bendigo and they were in tears,” he said.

“They said there was a lot of Bendigo people that needed to come over and see what is happening there.

“We have nothing to complain about when these kids are sleeping on the beach or in an abandoned car somewhere.

“It puts your life into perspective.”