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
-
![Huge congratulations to @greens2blue - absolutely inspiring ??? @knaggsy65 @larkingrichardpatrick
After 46 days 1 hour & 19 minutes of relentless rowing across the Atlantic, facing exhaustion, isolation, and the sheer power of the ocean, you are finally back on dry land. What you have achieved is nothing short of extraordinary.
Thank you both for your strength, determination, and unwavering commitment to rowing for Alfie’s charity & Maggie’s. Raising an incredible £100,000 for each charity is beyond anything we could have imagined, and the impact of your journey will be felt for so many years to come.
We are forever grateful for the sacrifices you have made, the courage you showed, and the hearts you carried with you across every mile. Alfie’s legacy lives on through you, and we will never forget what you’ve done ✨
From the bottom of our hearts - thank you, Fiona & committee ???✨
@worlds.toughest.row
#fundraising #appreciation
https://www.friendsofalfiemartin.org]()
Huge congratulations to @greens2blue - absolutely inspiring 💙🎉🥰 @knaggsy65 @larkingrichardpatrick After 46 days 1 hour & 19 minutes of relentless rowing across the Atlantic, facing exhaustion, isolation, and the sheer power of the ocean, you are finally back on dry land. What you have achieved is nothing short of extraordinary. Thank you both for your strength, determination, and unwavering commitment to rowing for Alfie’s charity & Maggie’s. Raising an incredible £100,000 for each charity is beyond anything we could have imagined, and the impact of your journey will be felt for so many years to come. We are forever grateful for the sacrifices you have made, the courage you showed, and the hearts you carried with you across every mile. Alfie’s legacy lives on through you, and we will never forget what you’ve done ✨ From the bottom of our hearts - thank you, Fiona & committee 🙏🏼💙✨ @worlds.toughest.row #fundraising #appreciation https://www.friendsofalfiemartin.orgButton -
![CELEBRATIONS in Antigua continued into the afternoon following the successful arrival in English Harbour of David Knaggs and Richard Larking as @greens2blue
A large group of friends and family greeted the pair as they stepped on dry land.
You can see the full arrival video on the World’s Toughest Row YouTube channel.
You can still donate if you’re feeling inspired by what David and Richard have done! We are still seeking donations for the Greens2Blue charities (and please help by LIKING and SHARING this content. Spreading the word really does us a favour!)
David and Richard are rowing for two brilliant charities: Maggie’s – home of cancer care – and Friends of Alfie Martin, supporting neonatal care.
These causes are incredibly close to their hearts, so please help them reach their new target by donating what you can at:
? https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/6345/worlds-toughest-row-atlantic-2025/ (link in bio)
@maggiesyorkshire
@friendsofalfiemartin
@WorldsToughestRow
#OceanRowing #FriendsOfAlfieMartin #MaggiesYorkshire #GolfersOfInstagram]()
CELEBRATIONS in Antigua continued into the afternoon following the successful arrival in English Harbour of David Knaggs and Richard Larking as @greens2blue A large group of friends and family greeted the pair as they stepped on dry land. You can see the full arrival video on the World’s Toughest Row YouTube channel. You can still donate if you’re feeling inspired by what David and Richard have done! We are still seeking donations for the Greens2Blue charities (and please help by LIKING and SHARING this content. Spreading the word really does us a favour!) David and Richard are rowing for two brilliant charities: Maggie’s – home of cancer care – and Friends of Alfie Martin, supporting neonatal care. These causes are incredibly close to their hearts, so please help them reach their new target by donating what you can at: 🔗 https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/6345/worlds-toughest-row-atlantic-2025/ (link in bio) @maggiesyorkshire @friendsofalfiemartin @WorldsToughestRow #OceanRowing #FriendsOfAlfieMartin #MaggiesYorkshire #GolfersOfInstagramButton -
![CONDITIONS have slowed but David Knaggs and Richard Larking of Greens2Blue have rowed 55 miles in the past 24 hours and are now a mere 57 miles away from Antigua!
This means that at very approximately this time tomorrow the pair will be preparing for their first steps back on dry land.
To watch them finish, go to the @worlds.toughest.row YouTube channel tomorrow and follow the action live. ETA is estimated at between 18.00-19.00 GMT, though this is subject to alteration. Keep an eye on the #WTR Facebook page for up-to-the-minute news.
Huge thanks to everyone for their messages of support, for the ongoing donations and for checking in with the boys’ families, all now in Antigua waiting anxiously.
You can still donate if you’re feeling inspired by what David and Richard are working to achieve! We are still seeking donations for the Greens2Blue charities (and please help by LIKING and SHARING this content. Spreading the word really does us a favour!)
David and Richard are rowing for two brilliant charities: Maggie’s – home of cancer care – and Friends of Alfie Martin, supporting neonatal care.
These causes are incredibly close to their hearts, so please help them reach their new target by donating what you can at:
? https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/6345/worlds-toughest-row-atlantic-2025/ (link in bio)
@maggiesyorkshire
@friendsofalfiemartin
@WorldsToughestRow
#OceanRowing #FriendsOfAlfieMartin #MaggiesYorkshire #GolfersOfInstagram]()
CONDITIONS have slowed but David Knaggs and Richard Larking of Greens2Blue have rowed 55 miles in the past 24 hours and are now a mere 57 miles away from Antigua! This means that at very approximately this time tomorrow the pair will be preparing for their first steps back on dry land. To watch them finish, go to the @worlds.toughest.row YouTube channel tomorrow and follow the action live. ETA is estimated at between 18.00-19.00 GMT, though this is subject to alteration. Keep an eye on the #WTR Facebook page for up-to-the-minute news. Huge thanks to everyone for their messages of support, for the ongoing donations and for checking in with the boys’ families, all now in Antigua waiting anxiously. You can still donate if you’re feeling inspired by what David and Richard are working to achieve! We are still seeking donations for the Greens2Blue charities (and please help by LIKING and SHARING this content. Spreading the word really does us a favour!) David and Richard are rowing for two brilliant charities: Maggie’s – home of cancer care – and Friends of Alfie Martin, supporting neonatal care. These causes are incredibly close to their hearts, so please help them reach their new target by donating what you can at: 🔗 https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/6345/worlds-toughest-row-atlantic-2025/ (link in bio) @maggiesyorkshire @friendsofalfiemartin @WorldsToughestRow #OceanRowing #FriendsOfAlfieMartin #MaggiesYorkshire #GolfersOfInstagramButton -
![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
