Millfield Prep pupil receives fund raising praise from Prime Minister​

Millfield Prep pupil Alfie McAnespie has been honoured to receive a letter from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to thank him for his fundraising work for charity Help For Heroes.

Alfie, whose dad works in the military, was dubbed the ‘Pint Sized Hero’ when he became the charity’s youngest fundraiser at the age of 16 months, taking part in a sponsored 1-mile unaided walk with his nursery. Since then, the now 12-year-old Alfie who is in Year 8 at Millfield Prep School, has been involved in a number of fundraising initiatives, to raise money for Help For Heroes, who work to support active duty military personnel, war veterans and other high-risk frontline professionals.

"He is always thinking of other people," said Alfie’s mum Anja. "Always trying to find new ways that he can help to make people’s lives better. For his ninth birthday, instead of asking for gifts, Alfie asked for money to donate to Help For Heroes and was able to present them with £200 as a result."

Alfie was inspired by meeting Scottish war hero Sergeant Stuart Pearson, who lost his leg in Afghanistan and was immortalised in the film Kajaki, to climb one of the country’s highest peaks, Mount Snowdon. The climb aimed to raise money for a new specialist wheelchair for former paratrooper and Invictus athlete John Prosser, who Alfie had seen struggling to get in and out of the swimming pool without a wheelchair. As a result, an eight-year-old Alfie climbed Mount Snowdon in 2016, followed by Ben Nevis the following year and finally Scarfell Pike, accompanied for the climbs by Coronation Street star Anthony Cotton. Alfie and Anthony also appeared on Lorraine Kelly’s breakfast show to promote their challenge, helping Alfie to raise thousands of pounds for the charity. Prince Harry thanked Alfie for his fundraising efforts, which enabled John Prosser to compete in the Invictus Games, saying, "I take my hat off to you, young man."

Alfie says, "Seeing these soldiers whom I have helped in the past win gold medals is amazing."

Alfie joined Millfield Prep in Year 7 and enjoys studying his favourite subjects History, Maths and English and playing Rugby and Cricket.