Alfie’s world was torn apart when his dad Keith took his own life in 2017.
Six months after his death, the Wavertree schoolboy went to the local shops and saw a homeless man sitting outside.
He spent his pocket money on food for the man, and realised that although he was having a hard time dealing with his dad’s death, there were other people out there less fortunate than himself.
And so Alfie, now 10, wrote a letter to Everton FC, the club he and his dad both supported. His letter read: “Dear Everton, my name is Alfie and I have had a tough year because my dad went to heaven due to a mental health illness.
“Because of this I want to do stuff for the less fortunate.
“Here is a list of things I’m good at: hugs, I can make toast, I have my own YouTube channel, I am a really good goalkeeper.”
The club responded, and since then Alfie has been working closely with their official charity, Everton in the Community.
In April 2019, he helped to launch Alfie’s Squad, a fundraising initiative to support mental health provision for children. It is part of Everton’s plans to build a new mental health facility, the People’s Place, near their Goodison Park stadium and now, thanks to Alfie, children bereaved by suicide will also be able to receive support.
Currently no service like this exists in the north west.
So far Alfie has raised £6,200 with events including bucket collections at Everton matches as well as selling pin badges he designed himself.
He has helped with other initiatives, such as packing parcels for a Liverpool foodbank and presenting Everton FC’s Angry Birds Cup.
And he also has plans for a podcast to help inspire children all over the country. Alfie’s bravery and determination has touched the hearts of the club’s players, including Everton player, Theo Walcott.
He said: “What Alfie has done, and the confidence I see in him at the age of 10, after what he has gone through and what the club and himself are trying to achieve just shows the character he is. He is a leader.”
Everton centre back Michael Keane added: “The things he’s trying to achieve with Alfie’s Squad, in terms of helping others is so inspiring for someone so young.”
Alfie says: “For any children in the same situation as me, don’t bottle it up. You can still live your life to the limit. I understand it sucks but I have been through it too.
“Each day will gradually get brighter.”
