Hello and welcome to our fundraising page.
In 1985 The Children's Trust started the UK's first ever paediatric brain injury rehabilitation service and have since developed an unparalleled International reputation for excellence. The Trust is a national charity working with children who have suffered brain injuries and have muliple disabilities. Every year they help hundreds of young people and their families to piece their lives back together again. Please read more about the wonderful work the Trust do at www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk
"I first became involved with the Trust in 2007, when I attended a fundraising lunch and met young Alfie Russell. He was there to give a speech about his accident. After 10 minutes I was reaching for the tissues! I was so moved by his bravery and courage and knew instantly that I wanted to help. This is his story"
In August 1999, Alfie, a keen footballer who was scouted by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and the fastest runner in his school, was 10 years-old when he was knocked off his bike by a car. He was left with multiple injuries, including an acquired brain injury, and was not expected to live. Doctors predicted that, if he survived, he would not be able to walk or talk and could be blind and deaf. In intensive care, Alfie was put into an induced coma to help reduce swelling to his brain. After spending nearly three months in hospital, there was very little change – Alfie could not communicate and he had very limited movement.
Later that year, Alfie was transferred to The Children’s Trust, Tadworth, where he received an intensive rehabilitation programme, specifically designed for his needs. With the support of the Trust’s expert teams of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, Alfie began to make progress. He made significant improvements and began to learn to talk and walk again, and finally return home and back to school. Alfie said: “I arrived at The Children’s Trust on a stretcher, unable to walk, but 11 months later when I left the Trust, I was able to ride my bike. If you had known me at that time, you would not have thought this would have been possible. It means a great deal to me to be able to give something back to the charity that gave me back my life.”
Today, Alfie is now realising his dream of pursuing a career in sports. He is a volunteer for UK Athletics where he helps to coach children and is also a volunteer sports leader with his favourite club, Tottenham Hotspur, and he hopes in the future to realise his dream of becoming a coach.
"In 2008, at the age of 18, Alfie took on the amazing challenge of taking part in the London Marathon, running alongside myself and my husband. Not only did Alfie complete the 26.2 miles, but we finished in 4 hours, 38 minutes- a fantastic acheivement, for all of us!
Alfie is incredibly inspiring to all who meet him, and for him to take on this gruelling challenge to climb Kilimanjaro is truely courageous. The big question is; Can I keep up with him!!
Alfie, along with so many others who have benefitted from the Trust are truely amazing young people, who are determined to give something back to the charity that helped them regain their lives. I had no hesitation in showing my support by joining up for the trek.
Our challenge is to raise £15,000! We will be trekking between 12-14 hours a day in very difficult conditions, including darkness and coping with high altitude. It also gets very cold at night, sometimes up to -10*, most of my rucksack is full with thick woolly socks, can't have the tootsies dropping off!
So go on! Rootle around for all that loose change, and as a dear friend said when supporting us...
"so chuck a bit of cash their way and suddenly you will feel lighter in spirit and only a little lighter in the pocket!" Thank you Miss Smith!
Please help us to help the young people at The Children's Trust by supporting this fantastic challenge. A huge thank you to all those who have already donated, bless you for supporting this wonderful charity. To see the inspiring stories of the children at the Trust, including Alfie, please click here.
If you fancy joining us on our challenge then please do contact the Events Team at The Children’s Trust (01737 365018) or click here for further details - the more the merrier!
We really appreciate your support.
With love
Suzanne and Alfie
See videos about The Children's Trust and Alfie here
To donate, please click on the 'donate now' buttons, thank you.
