Alfred is 8 years old from Swadlincote, Derbyshire and suffered a brain injury at birth in 2015. He was born lifeless and took 9 minutes to resuscitate, at which point he was put on a ventilator. His brain had been starved of oxygen which caused brain damage in several areas. Just before Alfred was 1 years old he was diagnosed with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and more recently epilepsy. This means that the damage effects all parts of his body, physically. Cognitively Alfred is just like most other 8 year olds and he is doing so well at a mainstream school learning the same curriculum as his peers (with allowances for physical boundaries). Alfred is currently totally physically dependant and require help with all areas of daily life.

Over the last 8 years Alfred has completed numerous intensive treatment blocks in the UK and then intensive sessions in Boston, America. The centre in the USA is called THE NAPA CENTRE and it has been truly life changing to see how much of a difference 3 weeks there can make. The centre and services there are like nothing on offer in the UK through the early part of Alfred’s life. Alfred when at Napa completed 4 hours a day of intensive therapy for 3 weeks and he got so much stronger and so much closer to some BIG milestones.

The treatment in the USA wasn’t cheap and cost over £12,000 each time but every penny was worth it. Alfred is now able to get himself into a kneeling position from being flat on the floor. NAPA have now opened a centre in London, but these treatments are still not available on the NHS and has ti be all self funded at a cost of around £10,000

Alfred will tell his parents daily how much he wants to move around like most people and he has the drive and determination to do so with the right tools. He is an absolute fighter, evident within the first 12 hours of his birth, when he pulled his ventilator out himself and began breathing on his own. He was the first 4 year old with cerebral palsy in the local area to have a speedy powered wheelchair and able to drive it competently.

Alfred dreams of having a dog of his own one day and walking it daily, running around the playground with his friends and having a more independent life not relying on his parents. His friends and family want to do anything they can ti get him closer and closer to his dreams and keep progressing.

As friends of Alfred and his amazing family, me and my fellow team mates wanted to use the Ashby soap box as a chance to raise awareness and vital funds to keep supporting Alfred to achieve his dream

So please do help if you can, it really is an amazing cause for an amazing little boy👍