We have been nominated for a Yorkshire Choice Award for Outstanding Contribution 2026! Your vote could help make all the difference. Please vote today...
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
We are nominated for Yorkshire Choice Awards 2026!
We are thrilled to announce Alfie’s Charity has been nominated for a Yorkshire Choice Award 2026 for Outstanding Contribution.
These Awards are decided by public vote & your vote could make the difference - please follow the link below to vote for Alfie’s Charity (Fiona Martin, Sicklinghall) - this would make a positive difference to our charity and help us to continue to support the care of critically sick babies across the Yorkshire region.
Thank you in advance - Fiona & committee
Finalists at the Yorkshire Business Women Awards
We are thrilled to announce Alfie’s Charity is a Finalist at the Yorkshire Business Women Awards for the Charity Award with the winner being announced at their awards ceremony in March.
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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![Mother’s Day can bring many different emotions.
Today we hold space for those celebrating, those remembering, and those finding the day difficult.
Whatever today means for you, you are not alone. ?]()
Mother’s Day can bring many different emotions. Today we hold space for those celebrating, those remembering, and those finding the day difficult. Whatever today means for you, you are not alone. 🤍Button -
![We hope you can join us! Please message us for tickets to our latest Alfie fundraiser on 10/May. Please note the slightly later start time. ?✨?]()
We hope you can join us! Please message us for tickets to our latest Alfie fundraiser on 10/May. Please note the slightly later start time. 🥳✨🎉Button -
![We are thrilled to announce Alfie’s Charity has been nominated for a @yorkshirechoice Award for Outstanding Contribution ✨?✨
These Awards are decided by public vote & your vote could make the difference - please follow the link below to vote for Alfie’s Charity - this would make a positive difference to our charity and help us to continue to support the care of critically sick babies across the Yorkshire region ??
Thank you in advance- Fiona & committee ????
http://www.yorkshirechoiceawards.co.uk/vote
https://www.friendsofalfiemartin.org/
#yca2026]()
We are thrilled to announce Alfie’s Charity has been nominated for a @yorkshirechoice Award for Outstanding Contribution ✨🎉✨ These Awards are decided by public vote & your vote could make the difference - please follow the link below to vote for Alfie’s Charity - this would make a positive difference to our charity and help us to continue to support the care of critically sick babies across the Yorkshire region 🙏🏼 Thank you in advance- Fiona & committee 🙏🏼💕💙 http://www.yorkshirechoiceawards.co.uk/vote https://www.friendsofalfiemartin.org/ #yca2026Button -
![We are thrilled to announce Alfie’s Charity is a Finalist at the Yorkshire Business Women Awards for the Charity Award with the winner being announced at their awards ceremony in March ??✨?
@yorkshire_businesswoman]()
We are thrilled to announce Alfie’s Charity is a Finalist at the Yorkshire Business Women Awards for the Charity Award with the winner being announced at their awards ceremony in March 🤞🏼✨🎉 @yorkshire_businesswomanButton -
![Since crossing the Atlantic and arriving safely in Antigua, Richard & David @greens2blue have been interviewed by ITV Calendar.
Two Harrogate lawyers, one epic challenge - completing the @worlds.toughest.row and raising a small fortune for two local charities.
We’re so proud of them ??
@friendsofalfiemartin
@maggiesyorkshire]()
Since crossing the Atlantic and arriving safely in Antigua, Richard & David @greens2blue have been interviewed by ITV Calendar. Two Harrogate lawyers, one epic challenge - completing the @worlds.toughest.row and raising a small fortune for two local charities. We’re so proud of them 💙💙 @friendsofalfiemartin @maggiesyorkshireButton -
![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
