A 13-year-old has managed to raise more than £20,000 to help people less fortunate than him following the death of his dad in 2017.
Alfie Fitzsimmons' dad, Keith, took his own life following struggles with his mental health. When the then eight-year-old saw a homeless man, it struck him that there needs to be support for people less fortunate than himself. Alfie's mum, Allison Furlong, told the ECHO about the lack of services available for children who are dealing with grief and bereavement.
The 47-year-old told the ECHO : "I couldn't find any support groups for children and he didn't know anyone in his situation. I tried to find somewhere as far away as Manchester and couldn't find anywhere. He just wants to help people in the same situation. I'm really lucky he's always been good."
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Now, after working extensively with Everton in the Community, the teen from Widnes is helping host a family fun day at the Irish Centre on Boundary Lane. Allison, the owner of a dog accessory company, said: "We're holding a family fun day on August 13 at the Irish Centre on Boundary Street in Everton. We're raising money for a charity that helps children who have been affected by suicide.
"He's raised just over £20,000 so far. We'll be showing the Everton match and then there will be a raffle, quiz show and a live podcast giving the children the chance to be on a podcast."
The brave schoolboy got in touch with the club when he sent a handwritten letter saying he had a "tough year" after his dad "went to heaven due to a mental illness". He asked Everton to help him "think of some ideas" to help people because he said he knew "how good the club is at helping."
Five years on he has managed to continue working with the club and Allison told the ECHO he hopes to start a podcast in the future where he and other people who have gone through similar experiences to him can talk about the effects of grief and bereavement from suicide.
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