Teenager saddles up forAlzheimer's fundraiser

An old photo of Alfie, left, and his grandfather, Gerald

Alfie Heard, 13, from Portsmouth finished a 15-mile bike ride from Drayton to Southsea in the time of one hour and 20 minutes, in a fundraising drive for the Alzheimer’s Society.

The bike ride was in memory of his late grandad Gerald Heard who died after a long battle with dementia on November 9 last year.

Mr Heard founded the company Gerald E Heard & Sons which sells reconditioned containers – and his legacy lives on as his sons and grandsons have gone into the family business.

In total Alfie raised £270 for the Alzheimer’s Society charity and received a certificate for his hard work.

Alfie said: ‘After the bike ride I felt very worn out from riding up the big hill, from Cosham to Portsdown Hill, and the long journey.

‘I felt pleased as I was doing it in memory of my grandad who had suffered with dementia for five years and I wanted to make my nan proud.

‘After my grandad died I said to my mum and dad that I really wanted to do a bike ride – to raise money for dementia and Alzheimer’s research.

‘I set up a page on social media and friends and family contacted me for sponsoring, for which I am incredibly thankful.’

Alfie’s mum Maria Heard said: ‘As Alfie’s parents we feel very proud of what he has achieved off his own back and he raised a lot of money for a good cause which is close to our family’s hearts.

‘His grandad would have been immensely proud too.

‘The Alzheimer’s Society then wrote a thank you and well done letter to Alfie, along with a certificate which he definitely deserves.’

If you would like to make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society, you can visit their website alzheimers.org.uk/donate

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