A TODDLER from Oakley is taking on a charity walking challenge this month in aid of a close family friend.

Two-year-old Alfred Alvis is completing a sponsored challenge of walking 28km in February in aid of the charity Stand Against MND (SAM).

SAM is a charity set up by close family friend Sam Perkins. In 2019 Sam was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at the age of 37.

Sam is an Ironman and keen triathlete who was extremely fit and healthy at the time of diagnosis. The diagnosis has been a shock for everyone around him. There is no cure for MND.

Due to COVID restrictions, Alfred hasn’t seen as much of Sam as he would like but they stay in contact and Alfred loves reading the Stand Against MND book ‘Lily and Sam’ a book about Sam and his niece Lily (Available on Amazon by Andy Stonehouse).

Alfred’s mum, Vickie, said: “Just like his pal Sam, Alfred is a glass half full kind and he loves to go on long walks and discover the countryside around him- he talks to dogs, ducks, sheep and anyone he meets!

“Recently he has made some bird feeders to hang on his routes around the village. Living in Oakley means he also gets to do a lot of trainspotting! He’s already smashing his target distances and seems to be on track to walk much more than the 28km.”

Sam and his wife Emma founded the charity (of which Vickie is a trustee) to raise funds to research a cure for MND and to support people with the illness.

There are around 5000 people living with the disease in the UK and around 1100 people are diagnosed each year.

In the last year SAM has raised £40,000 through sponsored events, children’s books and personal donations. The charity even has its own ale: ‘Good Deed Ale’ brewed by Horsforth Brewery. The charity have made donations to MNDA and also Nottinghamshire Hospice (who are supporting Sam with his care).

To find out more about the charity, search: Stand Against MND on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

You can sponsor Alfred at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/VickieAlvis