Friends of
Alfie Martin
Raising vital funds for neonatal equipment
We are an independent charity run solely by volunteers, we have no overheads, and all the funds we raise go directly to where they are most needed.
Who we are
Like many charities, the Friends of Alfie Martin was born out of personal tragedy. In March 2002, Fiona and Roger Martin lost their son, Alfie. Alfie was a healthy baby born full-term, but due to medical negligence, needed specialist transportation to the Leeds Teaching Hospital for critical care. No transportation was available and after a tortuous wait Alfie was transferred, but sadly died.
Fiona wanted to honour her son by improving the transport of critically ill children throughout Yorkshire. A group of volunteers rallied to support Fiona and the charity was formed in 2002.
What we do
Formed in 2002 the Friends of Alfie Martin raises vital funds to purchase much needed state-of-the-art life-altering and life-saving medical equipment for the Leeds Centre for Newborn Care, which cares for the sickest newborn babies from across Yorkshire. Approximately 1,600 babies are treated at the centre each year.
Since the initial purchase of the much-needed transportation equipment (Globetrotter transport units costing £55,000 each), a special relationship has developed between our charity and the Leeds Centre for Newborn Care, which provides us with a wish list of equipment each year.
Significant funds raised
The charity has raised significant funds for life-saving equipment for Yorkshire’s sickest babies, in fact, it is the biggest single contributor to the Leeds Centre for Newborn Care. Recent purchases include state-of-the-art heart-monitoring equipment, specialist incubators, and mechanical breathing support ventilators.
The list of
future requirements
for the centre is daunting, but our dedicated
committee
of volunteers is determined to continue in their efforts to ensure that other parents do not have to suffer the tragic loss of a child.
Significant funds raised so far
We are thrilled to be able to announce that we have now raised a huge £1 Million Pounds of fundraising in Alfie’s name! When Fiona first started fundraising 23 years ago, her only goal was not to let Alfie’s name be forgotten and for his short lived life to have meaning, and this has certainly been achieved.
The funds raised over the last 23 years have bought vital pieces of equipment saving countless babies lives and will have made such a difference to many families in the Yorkshire region. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us in achieving this amazing milestone!
Fiona and the Committee
MBE for Fiona Martin!
I’m incredibly honoured and humbled to have been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List, June 2025.
This recognition is truly shared with the amazing committee members - past and present - and the incredible supporters of Alfie’s charity, some of whom have been with us throughout this 23-year journey.
Thank you for believing in the cause and for making this work possible. Fiona xx
How we fundraise
We are an independent charity run solely by volunteers, we have no overheads, and all the funds we raise go directly where they are needed. Wherever possible the committee tries to negotiate purchases directly with the equipment manufacturers to secure the best cost price, and in many cases this saves thousands of pounds.
Our committee raises funds through:
Organising fundraising events
Organisational donations – corporate and charitable foundations
Individual donations – through personal fundraising challenges
Applying for grants
See all our latest Instagram news and updates @friendsofalfiemartin
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![We’re so excited to announce our new Alfie fundraising event - our Summer Party at Wharfedale Grange!
? 10th May | 1–7pm
Join us for a special afternoon featuring a delicious two-course meal, a welcome glass of fizz, and fantastic entertainment ✨
Tickets won’t hang around, so grab yours soon!
See you there!
Fiona & the committee ?✨?
@wharfedalegrange
#charityfundraiser]()
We’re so excited to announce our new Alfie fundraising event - our Summer Party at Wharfedale Grange! 🗓 10th May | 1–7pm Join us for a special afternoon featuring a delicious two-course meal, a welcome glass of fizz, and fantastic entertainment ✨ Tickets won’t hang around, so grab yours soon! See you there! Fiona & the committee 💕✨🥳 @wharfedalegrange #charityfundraiserButton -
![Milestone Alert! Richard & David - team @greens2blue - have put another 67 miles in the bank - a daily record & have now passed the 500 miles to go mark ?✨?✨
Today’s milestone will doubtless give them a significant boost after many days of big seas and unpredictable waves.
If you are feeling inspired, please consider donating to the Greens2Blue charities, one being Alfie’s charity! The other being Maggie’s - home of cancer care. If you have already donated, then a HUGE THANK YOU ?
#worldstoughestrow
#charity]()
Milestone Alert! Richard & David - team @greens2blue - have put another 67 miles in the bank - a daily record & have now passed the 500 miles to go mark 🎉✨🎉✨ Today’s milestone will doubtless give them a significant boost after many days of big seas and unpredictable waves. If you are feeling inspired, please consider donating to the Greens2Blue charities, one being Alfie’s charity! The other being Maggie’s - home of cancer care. If you have already donated, then a HUGE THANK YOU 🎉 #worldstoughestrow #charityButton -
![Thank you to everyone for the overwhelming kindness and beautiful messages, I am so very grateful ???
Yesterday was a truly humbling day. This moment is for Alfie and for everyone who has supported Alfie’s charity over the years, helping to keep his memory alive and save so many precious lives.
I would also like to say a very special thank you to the incredible Alfie committee girls, past and present. Your dedication, compassion, and tireless support mean more than words can say, none of this would be possible without you ???
If you would like to keep up to date with our forthcoming fundraising events, please follow our Instagram page
@friendsofalfiemartin
With heartfelt thanks,
Fiona & the Alfie committee
??????
https://www.friendsofalfiemartin.org/]()
Thank you to everyone for the overwhelming kindness and beautiful messages, I am so very grateful 💙🙏🏼 Yesterday was a truly humbling day. This moment is for Alfie and for everyone who has supported Alfie’s charity over the years, helping to keep his memory alive and save so many precious lives. I would also like to say a very special thank you to the incredible Alfie committee girls, past and present. Your dedication, compassion, and tireless support mean more than words can say, none of this would be possible without you 💙🙏🏼 If you would like to keep up to date with our forthcoming fundraising events, please follow our Instagram page @friendsofalfiemartin With heartfelt thanks, Fiona & the Alfie committee 🙏🏼💙🙏🏼💙 https://www.friendsofalfiemartin.org/Button -
![When I formed Alfie’s charity nearly 24 years ago, receiving an MBE was so incredibly far from my mind. My focus then was simply to survive the trauma of losing my much-longed-for and dearly loved baby boy.
Slowly, through a series of wonderful fundraisers and with the support of my beautiful committee of family and friends, Alfie’s charity was formed. Together, we have fundraised for so many life-saving pieces of medical equipment for critically sick babies across the Yorkshire region. Our work continues, and amazing people continue to support our events and even create their own fundraisers too.
Fast forward 23 years and we have raised over £1 million and helped save so many babies’ lives. We could not have done this without the incredible support of our wonderful supporters.
I wanted to be sure that the tragedy of what happened to us would not happen again, and to keep Alfie’s name alive.
I was initially overwhelmed and borderline embarrassed by my MBE award, but now, almost a year on from first hearing about it and receiving it today, I feel incredibly proud, grateful, and humbled.
I would like to thank my amazing family for keeping me going through those very dark times; my wonderful friends for rallying around to support me with Alfie’s charity; and the many special people we have met along the way. To my husband, daughter, and sons - thank you for always being there for me.
Most of all, I dedicate this award to the special memory of my precious boy, Alfie - never to be forgotten.
Thank you all, Fiona xx xx ??????
https://www.friendsofalfiemartin.org/]()
When I formed Alfie’s charity nearly 24 years ago, receiving an MBE was so incredibly far from my mind. My focus then was simply to survive the trauma of losing my much-longed-for and dearly loved baby boy. Slowly, through a series of wonderful fundraisers and with the support of my beautiful committee of family and friends, Alfie’s charity was formed. Together, we have fundraised for so many life-saving pieces of medical equipment for critically sick babies across the Yorkshire region. Our work continues, and amazing people continue to support our events and even create their own fundraisers too. Fast forward 23 years and we have raised over £1 million and helped save so many babies’ lives. We could not have done this without the incredible support of our wonderful supporters. I wanted to be sure that the tragedy of what happened to us would not happen again, and to keep Alfie’s name alive. I was initially overwhelmed and borderline embarrassed by my MBE award, but now, almost a year on from first hearing about it and receiving it today, I feel incredibly proud, grateful, and humbled. I would like to thank my amazing family for keeping me going through those very dark times; my wonderful friends for rallying around to support me with Alfie’s charity; and the many special people we have met along the way. To my husband, daughter, and sons - thank you for always being there for me. Most of all, I dedicate this award to the special memory of my precious boy, Alfie - never to be forgotten. Thank you all, Fiona xx xx 🙏🏼💙🙏🏼💙 https://www.friendsofalfiemartin.org/Button -
![Celebrating David and Richard reaching the 1,000 to go mark ?✨??
#charitychallenge
@worlds.toughest.row
@greens2blue]()
Celebrating David and Richard reaching the 1,000 to go mark 🎉✨💙🎉 #charitychallenge @worlds.toughest.row @greens2blueButton -
![So happy for the @greens2blue team who have now passed the HALF WAY MARK ???
Antigua here they come ? ?
An impressive further 59 miles rowed last night and more progress today - leaving Richard and David with ‘just’ 1,300 miles left on the @worlds.toughest.row
Every stroke now counts - keep digging deep, the finish line is no longer a dream, it’s a destination ??
If you wish to sponsor the boys - which will give them a great boost - pls follow the link in our bio to givewheel.com supporting Alfie’s charity and @maggiesyorkshire
#oceanrowing
#charitychallenge]()
So happy for the @greens2blue team who have now passed the HALF WAY MARK 🎉🎉🎉 Antigua here they come 🚣 🌊 An impressive further 59 miles rowed last night and more progress today - leaving Richard and David with ‘just’ 1,300 miles left on the @worlds.toughest.row Every stroke now counts - keep digging deep, the finish line is no longer a dream, it’s a destination 💪🌍 If you wish to sponsor the boys - which will give them a great boost - pls follow the link in our bio to givewheel.com supporting Alfie’s charity and @maggiesyorkshire #oceanrowing #charitychallengeButton
