Well Done Tom!!! A huge congratulations to my big brother for managing to complete the mammouth 57 miles and still remain standing at the end of it! My Dad also deserves a big pat on the back as he managed to complete the Saturday walk – around 37 Miles. They both were a great inspiration to rest of us that managed to do the hard bit – The final five miles! Here are the photos of the day – if you want to see the individual pictures, then you can link to the album here  

 

 

 

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We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that took part in the walk, sent us messages of support and all those that generously donated money to the Tiny Babies Big Appeal Charity. We have raised an incredible £4750 so far and the money is still rolling in – Josie’s work, Bupa, have said that they will match our fundraising total to a maximum of £2000, so it is looking like we might get to £7000! The day was very special for us as we were surrounded by so  many friends and family and it is comforting to know that there are so many people out there who care.  Alfie was a very special little boy and we will always remember him fondly – He taught us to value life and the walk was a good way for us all to remember how lucky we are.

Thank you,

Johnny, Josie, Ellie and Chloe x x x

Final Five Miles - Route for Alfie's Walk

The big day is nearly upon us and therefore I thought that you might like to know some important details – like where we start and what time! We are all going to meet outside the entrance to Bar Estilo located in the Mailbox at 14.30 on Saturday 10th July. This means that people can have some lunch (or a quick drink :)!) before we set off and also we will remain dry (if the weather turns nasty 😦 ) whilst we wait for everyone to arrive. On that note – it is looking like there could be some rain around on Saturday, so you might want to think about umbrellas/footwear…etc. We will then leave at 14.45 promptly and set off along the canal on the route outlined on the map above (click to make full size). If you miss us at the start, or perhaps prefer an even smaller walk, you  might want to jump on a train and get off at one of the other stops marked on the map and make your way from there. You can ring me on 07766817473 to see where we are at any point along the way.

If you want to leave your car at our house – The finish – (352 Franklin Road, Bournville, Birmingham, B30 1NE), you are welcome and then you can get a train into New Street which is located near to the Mailbox and the start of the (mini, 5 mile) walk. I will be doing this and will be leaving Franklin Road at 13.00 if you wish to join me at this time.

Please e-mail/text me should you require any further details. Finally, Good Luck to Tom who starts his (57 mile) walk tomorrow!! We hope to see him catch up with us during out slightly more leisurely stroll!

See you then,

Jon, Josie, Ellie and Chloe x

Fundraising, if not training, is going well!

Thank you so much to everyone who has already donated to the cause – we have already reached £1000! So far you have given £830 via Alfie’s Just Giving page and over £330 in other donations. This is an amazing total and we are all confident it is going to continue to grow. It certainly gives me (Tom) even more motivation to get fit to ensure I finish – not that I really need any more motivation. The fundraising totaliser seems to be going up quicker than the miles on my training totaliser – but I am going to really put in the effort this month – nothing like leaving it to the last minute hey (oh and I have a stag do this weekend! -okay start next week).

Ross (Tom and Jon’s Dad) also reports he has fallen off a ladder and has yet to do any walking…..so that could be interesting! Walking supporters are growing in numbers and it looks like we are going to have a good number walking at least the last five miles….and maybe a few up for the last twenty as well. So Josie and Johnny you better buy a bigger tea-pot and fridge for the celebration drinks….

More updates soon…..and thanks again for your support

After a great deal of staring at maps and learning about the geography of the Birmingham area a route for the ‘Walk for Alfie’ has been planned. It is pretty much all on canals – which means it is flat and hopefully also decrease the chances of us getting lost!

We hope the walk will be a fun day out and a good way to remember Alfie.  We would also really like to use the opportunity to raise some money for the ‘Tiny Babies Big Appeal’ fund. Therefore we would love other people to join us for either a 20 mile or 5 mile leg of the walk and to collect sponsorship. As Tom is intending the whole 57 miles in 24 hours, the pace of the initial stages of the walk will have to be quite quick . This means that the final five miles can be completed a little more lesiurely pace!

If you would like to join the walk please could you leave a comment on this page or email tom@tharrison.me.uk, specifying the distance that you would like to do.

The route will be as follows:

Friday 9th July, 5.30pm From Barlaston station to Rugely – about 18 Miles  

Tom is intending to complete this leg alone and at a pretty fast pace – although has already had promises of people to join him for the first few miles.

Saturday 10th July

6am Rugely to Fazely Junction – about 19 miles
Tom will be joined by Ross (Jon’s Dad) for this section and they will walk it pretty fast – possibly even at a pace that involves wiggling their hips as they walk!

11.30am: Fazely Junction to Gas Street Basin – about 15 miles

Everyone welcome to join in the last 20 miles – the pace will slow down abit (about 3.5 miles an hour) but still a decent walk and a decent pace!

About 3.30pm: Gas street Basin to Jon and Josie’s house – about 5 miles

All welcome on this leg – rumor even has it that Jon might be walking this part! This group will start off before the group behind get to Gas Street Basin and walk at a slower place (and hopefully those behind will catch up!)

5.30pm – Arrive at Jon and Josie’s for much deserved drinks and cake. More information about this (especially for those just interested in the cake element of the walk) will be put on this website soon.

More news to follow soon…

The main aim of the walk is as a memorial to Alfie.   The route is not finalised, but it will be from somewhere in Derbyshire to our house in Birmingham.   The first leg will start at 5pm on Friday night, and the second early morning on the 10^th July.   We hope to arrive in Birmingham before 5pm on the 10^th July.

We shall be putting up the route of the walk on this website alongside estimated starting times from different places along the route.  It would be great to get a few people doing the last few miles through Birmingham, although Tom would love company for any part of it.  We will be aiming to finish the walk in time for a well deserved drink and celebration at our house.

Tiny Babies Big Appeal

We think the walk is a great opportunity to create a fund in memory of Alfie.  We hope to raise money for the Tiny Babies Big Appeal.  This charity is hoping to build a new Neonatal Unit for premature babies at the Birmingham Women’s Hospital.  Any money we raise will help babies born prematurely, like Chloe and Alfie, in the future.  Anyone who would like to donate will be able to do so by using the ‘Walk for Alfie’  Just Giving Website (see link to the right) or by cheque.