The family of a baby who died aged just nine days old are raising money for the hospital which cared for him in his last hours.
Baby Alfie James Rowe passed away at Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool last March and to mark what would have been his first birthday his family are organising a fund-raising day in aid of Alder Hey.
Mum Jordan Goldie, dad Jamie Rowe and the family, of Mount Pleasant Street, Cornholme, have already raised more than £1,000 and hope people will help them boost that total with the fund-raising day at Todmorden Cricket Club, Burnley Road, on Saturday, March 9. They can also make a contribution through a Just Giving site set up for donations to remember Alfie.
Lots of local businesses have given prizes for a grand raffle at the fundraiser, there will be a sponsored balloon release and entertainment laid on includes a bouncy castle and face-painting. There will be music and food to help complete what they hope will be an enjoyable family day out. The event begins at noon and will run to around 4pm.
Jordan explained that Alfie, who was born on March 5 last year, passed away from liver complications. He had been admitted to Alder Hey after his parents had taken him to Oldham Hospital’s accident and emergency unit.
The care given to Alfie at Alder Hey in his final hours and to the family afterwards, which is still ongoing, was very much appreciated and the family wanted to help the hospital in return.
“Alfie was only there for a few hours but it’s more for the bereavement team for the help they offered afterwards. I am still in touch with them now and thank them for everything they did. They had him baptised and have helped with special little memories we can keep forever, such as his handprints and footprints on nice paper,” she said.
Beginning with smaller events, including a sponsored walk around Hollingworth Lake, the family began raising money for Alder Hey last year and have set up the Just Giving site in Alfie’s memory - www.justgiving.com/jordangoldie - where donations can be made.
Jordan says a number of businesses have donated some top prizes for the fundraiser, including the jeweller’s in Halifax Road, J. T. Stansfield’s butchers, Halifax Road, Cheers off-licence, Halifax Road, photographers Studio C in Rochdale Road, the Glen View at Cornholme, C. and J. Personal Training, Wetherspoon’s White Hart and the Todmorden-based Undertakers Riders Club have all donated prizes, as have the Co-op at Hebden Bridge, Boots in Rochdale and Five Star Blinds of Failsworth. Now Jordan, Jamie and Alfie’s siblings three-year-old Harley and one-month old Emmelia hope as many people as possible will join them for a special day to remember Alfie,