Football backing Alfie and Birmingham Children’s Hospital

The football community across the Malverns came together for a special night, for a special boy, whilst raising money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital was a great success.

The event was held at Malvern Town FC’s Langland Stadium, and was organised by Leigh and Bransford Badgers alongside Newtown Sports and Welland Juniors Football Clubs. The aim of the event was to raise money for the children’s hospital and was organised by the family of Alfie Orton, who has been treated for a brain tumour at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The event, on Friday, May 17, included junior and adult fun matches, and originally aimed to raise £1,000

Simon Secretan, chairman of Leigh and Bransford Badgers, said: “I’m happy to say we smashed it. Best of all, Alfie was treated like the superstar he is.
The final total is yet to be confirmed, with some donations to be collected, but safe to say we have quadrupled our original target.” With over 750 people attending, the atmosphere was described as “amazing”.

Mr Secretan said: “Alfie’s mum Roxanne and Alfie addressed the massive crowd before the adult charity game with not a dry eye in the house when Alfie took the microphone to thank everyone.”

There were special guest appearances from Bertie the Badger and England and Worcester Warriors up-and-coming star Ted Hill, a former Badgers player. The event also included an auction of donated items and the Badgers players match worn shirts, by BBC Midlands Today sports presenter Dan Pallett.

Organisers are waiting to hear how much money was raised at events organised by University of Worcester footballers on Wednesday, May 22, and Alfie’s mother’s and grandmother’s participation in the Birmingham 10k Run on Sunday, May 26, before the final total is announced and donated to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.