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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![More preparations for the off ?
@worlds.toughest.row @greens2blue
#challenge #charity
Good luck David & Richard for the off tomorrow ??✨]()
More preparations for the off 🌊 @worlds.toughest.row @greens2blue #challenge #charity Good luck David & Richard for the off tomorrow 🤞🏼✨Button -
![A productive day for the team @greens2blue today in La Gomera. Don’t forget to like and follow to watch David & Richard’s progress on Yellow Brick (YB) tracker.
? Ready to track their journey? Download the YB Races App and search for Greens2Blue on the Worlds Toughest Row - Atlantic 2025.
? Race start (weather permitting): Thursday December 11th at 11am (UTC)
? Follow the boys on their instagram stories for daily updates as they prepare to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic for Alfie’s Charity.
#worldstoughestrow #extremsport #fundraising]()
A productive day for the team @greens2blue today in La Gomera. Don’t forget to like and follow to watch David & Richard’s progress on Yellow Brick (YB) tracker. 📌 Ready to track their journey? Download the YB Races App and search for Greens2Blue on the Worlds Toughest Row - Atlantic 2025. 📌 Race start (weather permitting): Thursday December 11th at 11am (UTC) 📌 Follow the boys on their instagram stories for daily updates as they prepare to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic for Alfie’s Charity. #worldstoughestrow #extremsport #fundraisingButton -
![What an incredibly busy week one for the Greens2Blue team finished off by their confirmation row yesterday. They have a “comms” briefing and a checking over of their water maker - but they are pretty much ready to go on Thursday. The weather forecast has been described as “punchy” - which means a rough start & have been told to be ready for serious ocean conditions with likely sea sickness from the go!!
#challenge @worlds.toughest.row @greens2blue]()
What an incredibly busy week one for the Greens2Blue team finished off by their confirmation row yesterday. They have a “comms” briefing and a checking over of their water maker - but they are pretty much ready to go on Thursday. The weather forecast has been described as “punchy” - which means a rough start & have been told to be ready for serious ocean conditions with likely sea sickness from the go!! #challenge @worlds.toughest.row @greens2blueButton -
![In the coming week, David Knaggs and Richard Larkin will set off on an incredible challenge - rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
David and Richard are undertaking this remarkable journey to raise vital funds for Alfie’s Charity, and their dedication means so much to us all and to the medical team at the Leeds Centre for Newborn Care.
We’d like to wish them every success as they take on The World’s Toughest Row. Sending strength, resilience, and hopes for calm seas throughout their voyage.
With love, Fiona & the committee xx
It’s not too late to support their efforts — every donation gives them an extra lift!
? https://gvwhl.com/L0VMC
You can follow their progress on Instagram at @greens2blue.]()
In the coming week, David Knaggs and Richard Larkin will set off on an incredible challenge - rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. David and Richard are undertaking this remarkable journey to raise vital funds for Alfie’s Charity, and their dedication means so much to us all and to the medical team at the Leeds Centre for Newborn Care. We’d like to wish them every success as they take on The World’s Toughest Row. Sending strength, resilience, and hopes for calm seas throughout their voyage. With love, Fiona & the committee xx It’s not too late to support their efforts — every donation gives them an extra lift! 👉 https://gvwhl.com/L0VMC You can follow their progress on Instagram at @greens2blue.Button -
![Celebrating 23 years of coming together to support critically sick babies across Yorkshire ?✨
Our annual Ladies Lunch was filled with warmth, friendship, long-standing supporters, and some wonderful new faces too. A beautiful afternoon topped with an inspiring talk from @mikebates_official who truly captured the room.
Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we raised an amazing £9,000 to help us continue improving neonatal care in our community. ?✨
With love and heartfelt thanks to all who continue this journey with us, Fiona & committee ?✨
Please follow the Alfie Instagram page for more updates - @friendsofalfiemartin
https://www.friendsofalfiemartin.org]()
Celebrating 23 years of coming together to support critically sick babies across Yorkshire 💛✨ Our annual Ladies Lunch was filled with warmth, friendship, long-standing supporters, and some wonderful new faces too. A beautiful afternoon topped with an inspiring talk from @mikebates_official who truly captured the room. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we raised an amazing £9,000 to help us continue improving neonatal care in our community. 🌼✨ With love and heartfelt thanks to all who continue this journey with us, Fiona & committee 💕✨ Please follow the Alfie Instagram page for more updates - @friendsofalfiemartin https://www.friendsofalfiemartin.orgButton -
![A Mug Full of Gratitude ☕
They care for the tiniest patients with the biggest hearts.
Now it’s our turn to say thank you ?
The mugs have arrived! Each one is printed with the words:
“Proud to work at the
Leeds Centre for
Newborn Care”
A small gift with a big message — a daily reminder that their dedication matters.
You can help us put one in the hands of every member of the team:
£5 = 1 mug gifted
£20 = 4 mugs gifted
The mugs are ready — now let’s deliver them, one smile (and one cuppa) at a time ?
? Tap the link in our bio to donate today
#LeedsNewbornCare #NeonatalHeroes #MugOfThanks]()
A Mug Full of Gratitude ☕ They care for the tiniest patients with the biggest hearts. Now it’s our turn to say thank you 💙 The mugs have arrived! Each one is printed with the words: “Proud to work at the Leeds Centre for Newborn Care” A small gift with a big message — a daily reminder that their dedication matters. You can help us put one in the hands of every member of the team: £5 = 1 mug gifted £20 = 4 mugs gifted The mugs are ready — now let’s deliver them, one smile (and one cuppa) at a time 🫶 📲 Tap the link in our bio to donate today #LeedsNewbornCare #NeonatalHeroes #MugOfThanksButton
