Supporting Friends of Alfie Johnson and all their good work

Friends of Alfie Johnson is a Black Country charity that helps children with disabilities in Dudley, Sandwell, and Wolverhampton. It takes its name from Alfie Arthur Johnson, who was born in 2007 with severe brain damage due to lack of oxygenation in the womb. When we heard about Alfie, and the wonderful work being done in his name, we knew we had to go a little further – so we decided to partner with the charity for two years instead of our traditional one-year fund raising partnership.

In June 2018 we met with Alife’s dad Paul and his uncle Mark to explain how we could help them provide for disabled children in the Black Country. We then quickly put our fund-raising schedule into action, drawing on suggestions and volunteers from each department of the business. There was no lack of enthusiasm from staff, with a number of them offering to make salary sacrifices in the form of monthly donations to Friends of Alfie, and others putting their all into the activities we’d arranged.

We had dress down days, BBQs, bake-offs, a snack tin and a slimming club (the latter, quite possibly, as a result of the former!). We had Christmas jumper competitions, raffles and hampers a plenty, and a steady influx of donations and messages of support. We held a number of football tournaments with other organisations, such as the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Higgs Solicitors. We had staff breakfast mornings in support of the charity.

But our fund-raising efforts did not end there. A number of J W Hinks employees took matters into their own hands and made a real physical dedication. Ben Butler from the Tax team took part in the Birmingham Triathlon, finishing in an impressive 2 hours and 40 minutes, and raising an equally impressive £625.  A team of staff members also took part in the Great Birmingham Run, raising over £700 and earning a prominent mention in the Birmingham Post.

We are proud of the difference we have been able to make in Alfie’s name. And we’re also humbled by the difference so many of our local neighbours have made. They donated some wonderful prizes for our Golden Ticket event (attended by clients and raising more-than £700 for the charity) such as a 3-course lunch at Simpson Restaurant and accommodation at The High Field.

Although our partnership with Friends of Alife Johnson has now drawn to a close, we remain highly impressed by the work they do. You can find out more about them –– at their website:  http://www.friendsofalfiejohnson.org.uk/about