Mum’s pride for ‘shining light’ as Alfie’s Squad gets ready for walk to raise funds and remember loved ones

Football coach and former Liverpool goalie Chris Kirkland is taking part in the Carry the Weight Walk for city charity, Alfie’s Squad.

He will join founder Alfie Fitzsimmons and around 40 children and adults who rely on the organisation when they make the marathon 24-mile journey from Southport to Liverpool tomorrow.

The walk, during which many of those involved will carry 35lb of weight with each pound representing a bereaved family being supported by the charity, marks the first anniversary of Alfie’s Squad and National Suicide Prevention Day earlier this week.

Alfie set up the charity at the end of August last year after losing his dad to suicide and feeling isolated and alone because there was nothing like it for him or other kids like him in the whole of the UK.

Allison Furlong, Alfie’s mum, says the walk will raise thousands for the support group and the activities it offers to provide a lifeline for children and families who have lost a loved one to suicide.

More than that, she adds: “It will raise awareness of suicide but with the message that there is help for all those who have been affected by it.

“It will show kids that there are other children like them, that they’re not alone – and that it hasn’t happened to them because they’re horrible people like a lot of them think.”

Alfie’s Squad started with six children and now supports nearly 50 – something which makes Allison very proud: “Alfie felt so alone and he lost friends after it happened, and now he is a shining light for all the other kids who come to us.

“They see what he is doing and they hear him talking and they can relate to him and know that he once felt the same way they do now.

“They can see he is doing well – and know that they will be okay too.”

The Carry the Weight Walk was an annual walk started by wellbeing group Lightbody Health CIC, members of which will also take part in tomorrow’s epic trek, but this year they decided to team up with Alfie’s Squad.

Brian Lightbody, its founder, says: “We started Carry the Weight nearly five years ago to raise funds to decrease social isolation and mental health issues in our community.

“But having seen the impact Alfie’s Squad has made towards supporting children bereaved by suicide, I was extremely moved, and felt we couldn’t support a more worthy cause.”

Everything about Alfie’s Squad was created by Alfie, from Wavertree.  The SFX pupil, who’s now 15, was just eight when he lost his father in 2017.

When he struggled with feelings of guilt and isolation, and low self-worth, Alfie was desperate to meet other children in the same situation. But with nothing anywhere in the country, he decided to step up and sort something out himself: “I’m just his PA,” smiles Allison. “Alfie is the one who decides what we’ll do.”

Alfie’s Squad is committed to supporting children who have been bereaved by suicide, and creating a fun and supportive environment where they can make friends and develop a sense of belonging, and strengthen their self-worth. 

And it aims to help not only those children navigate their grief, but their parents and guardians too.

Meeting every week at The Sandon Hotel in Anfield, there are still groups for youngsters, but there is also support for young adults from 18-25, and a separate group for parents or guardians.

There’s even online support, and not only does it help the families, it may prevent further deaths: “Studies show that the isolation can lead to people who have been bereaved by suicide going on to take their own lives,” says Alison.

“Our kids now range from six to 17 and it’s a happy place,” she goes on. “It’s not a sad group. Everyone gets on well and I’m so proud of what Alfie has done. 

“He takes Alfie’s Squad very seriously and he channels everything into it and making a difference. I dread to think what he would have been like without it.

“He now wants me to go into secondary schools in the city to start the conversation there, and assure young people that suicide isn’t something they should be scared to talk about.”

Tomorrow’s Carry the Weight Walk will start around 6am at the Fairway Park and Ride stop in Southport and head to Liverpool via the Formby By-Pass, passing along the dock road, the Royal Liver Building and Albert Dock to Otterspool.

The final destination is Jericho Lane Football Club but one mile before there will be a special welcome for all the laden-down walkers.

“Me and other family members who are supported by Alfie’s Squad will be waiting to meet the walkers around a mile from the finishing Line at the Britannia Pub – we think around 6pm – to cheer them on.

“It will be very emotional. All those taking part are doing it to mark the anniversary of Alfie’s Squad and World Suicide Prevention Day and raise money, but they will also be remembering those people who’ve been lost. This is when there will be tears.”

Allison says walkers will be carrying buckets for people to donate money along the way, and Alfie is keen to talk to all those taking part from Alfie’s Squad to get to know them even better; and he will be streaming live on Instagram to let his followers know what he is up to.

“But I’ll say now,” grins Allison.  “If he starts pleading for help, ignore him. He needs to finish and raise the money!”

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