Alfie’s Story
Meet superstar fundraiser Alfie Linger, who has raised over £7,500 by running a 5K every day for a year in memory of his dad, footballer Paul Linger.
Alfie Linger, 24, is a superstar fundraiser for St Joseph’s Hospice.
His beloved Dad Paul Linger, an ex-professional footballer for Charlton Athletic, Leyton Orient and Brighton and Hove Albion, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2020, and after months of aggressive chemotherapy, and a complex 10 hour ‘whipple procedure’ operation, he died on October 1st 2021 at the age of just 46.
In the latter stages of his diagnosis, he was under the care of St Joseph’s Hospice. Alfie and his family were so touched by the care provided to Paul, and the bereavement support we were able to provide to his loved ones, that Alfie decided to take on the ultimate fundraising challenge – running or walking a 5K every day for 365 days, documenting it all on his Instagram.
Alfie and his Dad, Paul
Alfie said “In March 2020, we got the worst possible news that my Dad Paul Linger was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. During the latter stages, Dad was taken into care by St Joseph’s Hospice and from that day until his last, every member of staff was nothing short of phenomenal. The care provided not only to my Dad but me and my family in terms of bereavement options was first class. I can’t thank the Hospice enough for making what was the toughest time of our family’s life, as comforting as possible.
I said to myself, I have to do something to raise some money for this amazing place. The idea actually came from one of my good friends who had already completed the challenge. I found his mental and physical strength really motivated me to want to do it.”
Alfie showed an incredible amount of determination and mental and physical strength as he approached his the end of his fundraising challenge – his 365th 5K on Wednesday 31st January 2024. Often joined by his friends, girlfriend, grandad and even his little brother Frank, his 5Ks have taken place all over the world, from Cornwall to Bali, as well as to places that remind him of his Dad around East London.
We knew we had to do something amazing to celebrate his achievement, so we arranged for Hospice staff (including the nurses who cared for his Dad) to surprise him and his family at the finish line of his final 5K here at the Hospice. Our Joint CEO Tony presented Alfie with a medal, and we held a party in our beautiful Garden Room, complete with a certificate filled with messages of congratulations from our team.
We were thrilled that BBC Sport Journalist Chris Slegg joined us on the day, and Alfie did a brilliant job calling in live to Eddie Nestor’s radio show, as well as featuring on the London Evening News!
You can watch the short version on the BBC website here, or the full piece on our Facebook.
He told us “It feels so fitting to be here for the final day of my fundraising challenge. I’ve raised around £3,200 for St Joseph’s so far, which is probably going to be my biggest achievement today!
I know that it will go to such amazing work here – the Hospice have been second to none with the help and the care that they have given me and my family. Hopefully, the money raised will help St Joseph’s to help other people like my Dad.”
Alfie celebrating at the finish line with his Nan, Sue
Alfie’s fundraising page is still open for donations. You can share or donate here – he has now raised well over his initial target of £3,000, and is hoping to reach £10,000.
Help Alfie hit his fundraising target of £10,000
Read Alfie’s story in his words, and share or donate to his page if you wish to.