Dad's care has inspired a lifetime of support

Alfie Dunsdon is still only 28 and he has already completed two London Marathons.

That’s a huge achievement by anyone’s standards but what is even more impressive is that he has raised over £33,000 to help patients and families who need Saint Francis Hospice.

Here Alfie shares why he is so determined to do everything he can to support the charity that cared for his dad Alf.

The hospice is such an amazing charity and it holds such a special place in my heart.

Whenever I talk about the hospice, fundraise or volunteer, I feel it is like therapy as it makes me feel close to my dad and it gives me an opportunity to pay the hospice back for the outstanding care each and every person provided for my dad, and the support they gave me, my mum and the rest of the family.

I have special memories of the Hospice

My Dad had bowel cancer which had spread and he was cared for on the ward in the last few weeks of his life in 2009.

Dad never wanted to leave the Hospice once he arrived.

He felt safe there and had every home comfort you could wish for. It was the best place he could be.

The nurses' love and care made a tough time so much easier to deal with.

Before he passed away, my mum and dad got married at Langtons House in Hornchurch.

I was only 15 at the time but I remember how the staff and volunteers laid on a wedding reception in the Orange Cafe when they arrived back on the ward so our family could come together to celebrate.

Supporting the Hospice means I can give something back

Our family organised a fundraising event for the hospice shortly after my dad died and in 2017 I ran the London Marathon for the first time and raised over £7,000.

Alfie with #TeamSFH London Marathon runners his first time in 2017.

During lockdown I managed to convince 12 friends to take part in a  sponsored head shave and together we raised £4,000.

I always had it in my mind that I would run another London Marathon for the hospice and after volunteering with the charity’s cheer squad at Mile 17 in 2022, I got the bug again and applied for a place to run in the London Marathon 2023.

You can’t beat it as an event - nothing comes close.

I enjoyed it more this time because I wasn’t focusing on getting a good time and could just take everything in as I was going around and think about my reason why.

Alfie is relieved to see fundraiser Michelle at Mile 17 at his second Marathon in 2023

As part of my fundraising, I organised a ball at Warley Golf Club. The ball was a great success and I felt really proud. It was an unbelievable night and it raised £14,000.

Thinking of all the fundraising really got me through the pain, especially when I cramped up from mile 15 onwards.

I couldn’t believe how much money was raised and how it would really help people who needed the hospice like my Dad and family did.

I know how important volunteers are to the charity and in 2022 and January this year I helped the fundraising team collect Christmas Trees so they could be recycled in exchange for a donation.

Alfie volunteering as part of our Christmas Tree Recycling campaign in 2022

There’s more to come and I know I will do everything I can to support the hospice through volunteering and fundraising.