Alfie’s Squad was recognised at the MWOTY 2023 awards, when Allison Furlong, was named ‘Woman of Courage’ (sponsored by Auteur Media) for her at CEO, supporting Alfie in establishing the charity.
Since then the charity has gone from strength to strength, expanding its in-person offering and launching an online group, so the organisation can help young people across the UK.
Allison’s son, Alfie Fitzsimmons, founder of Alfie’s Squad, a peer support group for children bereaved by suicide, has now been named Best Young Fundraiser at the Enterprise Credit Union Community Awards 2024.
Alfie’s latest award ‘Best Young Fundraiser’ celebrates his achievements in raising the money needed to keep Alfie’s Squad going and growing, something he has been doing since the organisation’s inception. As well as another well-deserved trophy, Alfie was also presented with a cheque for £5,000 as recognition for his hard work.
After Alfie lost his dad, he and Allison found that dedicated support of this kind for children was not available anywhere in the UK. On realising this, Alfie set about developing the idea himself and raised more than £30,000 to fund it.
More recently, in April 2024, Alfie, a group of 12 children who are members of Alfie’s Squad and three brave mums took on a sponsored shark dive at the Bear Grylls Adventure Centre, raising £26,000 and bringing the total he has raised since Alfie’s Squad’s inception to more than £80,000.
In September Alfie will be adding to that running total when he joins a group from Lightbody Health CIC to take part in their annual ‘Carry the Weight’ walk from Southport to Otterspool Prom in Liverpool, in aid of the charity.
Allison said: “I am extremely proud of all the hard work and dedication that Alfie puts into Alfie’s Squad. This award is recognition for the years of fundraising he has been involved in to help children bereaved by suicide.”
True to his usual selfless form, Alfie has decided to share his £5,000 prize money, donating half to Alfie’s Squad and half towards his university fund.
Alfie added: “I was really happy to receive this award and so surprised to be given a cheque. I am sharing this with Alfie’s Squad so everyone can benefit from the kindness of Enterprise Credit Union.”
To support the ‘Carry the Weight’ fundraiser visit https://gofund.me/2bdbcec2 for more information about Alfie’s Squad visit alfiessquad.org
