Earlier this year the whole FrameXpress Ltd team committed to a project that was very close to all their hearts. In April, the leading trade fabricator launched the Alfie’s Wheels campaign, in a bid to help Production Manager, Jim Hinds raise much needed funds for his son Alfie. By July the company had hit its target and then some! The combined effort has raised £8648
Alfie was born with a severe heart defect which limits what he can do physically and after several major operations, at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, he still needs constant supervision and help to get around.
With Alfie beginning secondary school in September this year, it became apparent that he would need a motorised wheelchair to be able to access different areas of the school, as various classrooms were on different floors and long distances apart.
Motorised wheelchairs don’t come cheap and after putting their heads together, the team organised a number of sponsored events including raffles, coffee mornings, a sponsored frameXpress bike ride and even a pink hair dying competition, amongst other things, over the Spring and Summer months.
A ‘Just Giving’ page was launched where generous donations from customers, friends and suppliers including JMS Materials, Winmac, Ingenious Locks and GT Locks, donated substantial amounts of money, all helping to boost the growing figure, as the September deadline got closer.
‘Alfie’s Bash’ was held on 9th June at Wellington Cricket Club, where again the whole community got behind the idea of helping to raise funds. Organised by Diana Collier, Receptionist at FrameXpress, there was a special auction which included a number of fabulous prizes including an AP McCoy Print, an MOT & Interim Service, a signed rugby ball, a Radley Handbag, signed England Rugby and Cricket shirts as well as Pizza Oven Hire. After an evening of dancing, fun and frolics, the event raised £1456 in total.
Fundraising did not stop there as local people and more companies got involved, offering their services with all proceeds put into Alfie’s campaign. The local Telford Lodge Assembly gave generously to the cause alongside the Much Wenlock Primary School and Devil’s Ink Tattoo Parlour, which earlier this year held an open event with all proceeds from the day going to the Wheels For Alfie campaign.
In a combined effort with staff, customers, suppliers and friends, the FrameXpress team pulled together and raised a staggering £8,648.00 in just a few short months.
After being measured and tested, the motorised wheelchair now takes Alfie in and around school and helps him to retain his independence during the day.
After purchasing the chair and relevant accessories including a ramp, there is a considerable balance remaining, which after discussions with Alfie, will be donated to The Whizzkids charity and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Jim and his family feel that the medical team at the hospital have supported Alfie all his life and now they wish to give a little something back to them.
Jim Hinds comments,
“Alfie, Jim Nicole & Ruby would like to say a huge thank you to all at Framexpress as well as suppliers and customers, who took on the mammoth fundraising project and smashed it.
A very special thank you to our families and friends for their continued support with Alfie’s journey and help with fundraising – generally going above and beyond.
People gave up their own time to help with Alfie’s project and we are eternally grateful, we could not have done this with out you.
For any child this can be a daunting new journey, but Alfie has been very keen and enthusiastic to begin the next stage of his education, particularly now that he can get around.”
