Caring Alfie makes a charity splashdown!

Alfie is pictured, third from the left, with his family and friends

A caring child spearheaded an inspiring splashdown to raise funds for a life-saving ambulance unit.

Supported by family and friends, eight-year-old Alfie Halliwell headed a sponsored swim to raise money for the Neonatal Ambulance Team based at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester.

Alfie, from Uppermill, was born 11 weeks early and suffered a brain haemorrhage when he was a few days old.

As a result he has cerebral palsy.

But the neonatal ambulance service transferred critically unwell Alfie to Bolton Hospital when he was just a  few hours old and returned him safely to Tameside when he was in recovery.

And on Saturday, Alfie’s parents Andy and Beth, along with their little hero, his brother George, ten, accompanied by friends and their children, swam 1,0363km at Manor House barn, Dobcross, who donated the use of their swimming pool for the event.

Said Alfie’s mother: “The Neonatal ambulance service provided excellent care. 

"Alfie was critically unwell when they took over his care and was in a much more stable condition by the time he arrived at Bolton Neonatal unit.

“The original aim was to raise £200, but we’ve raised more than £600 so far and are really happy with what we have collected.

“We would like to provide the unit with medical equipment and items for babies comfort, and we’d like to thank everyone who donated.”

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