THE family of a little boy are calling on their community to "be more Alfie" in 2019 and help him raise the millions needed for a new refuge for survivors of domestic abuse.

Six-year-old Alfie Webster is planning a series of fundraising events to help the team at Darlington’s women’s refuge to raise the money needed to fund a new facility.

With demand for its services increasing steadily, Family Help’s current facility is consistently full and no longer fit for purpose, with 99 women having to be turned away in 2017/18.

The small charity – which has provided lifesaving support to thousands over more than 40 years – is unable to foot the bill of ensuring its service is sustainable for the future.

Without the support of people across Darlington, Family Help would not be able to exist at all and it is to the town that it is now turning to ask for the assistance it needs to survive.

Chief executive Carole Clarkson praised all who have put their hands into their pockets to help the refuge over the years, but said more support than ever before is now needed.

She hopes the beginning of 2019 will mark the start of a huge project that will end with Family Help being housed in a bigger facility.

The hope is to create a purpose-built general women’s centre that hosts a variety of services while still providing support and safe accommodation for those fleeing abuse.

Ms Clarkson urged as many people as possible to dig deep and do what they can to contribute to a cause that has contributed so much to families in need.

The refuge’s team need funds to make the dream facility a reality, and members also hope volunteers will offer their time, skills and talent to make it happen, whether they be architects, planners, builders or other.

In 2017, youngster Alfie Webster pledged to do all he could to help the refuge after being invited to meet families there following a donation of games consoles given to him after his home was burgled.

He has now had a series of "big ideas" that he hopes will assist in boosting funds for the service, from a Michael Jackson dance-a-thon to a toy sale.

The Darlington boy’s mother, Tanya Webster, is now urging people to "be more Alfie" and join in the fundraising efforts.

She said: “If a six-year-old can do it, there’s probably something you could do.

 

“I know people who have fled domestic abuse and I cannot imagine having to up and go, telling your children that they have to leave everything behind.

“It must be so awful for those families and until we visited, I had no idea how many people the refuge get through their doors every year.

“We are all only really one bad relationship away from needing a refuge and any little thing that can be done to help, we will try to do.”

Ms Clarkson praised Alfie for his efforts and said he was part of an army of individuals, businesses and organisations that keep the charity afloat.

She said: “In 2017/18 we took in 68 women and 100 children but had to turn 99 women and 116 children away.

“We’ve needed an extension for years, with more bed spaces and the ability to employ more staff.

“Domestic abuse is not going away and with the way the town is being regenerated, we feel demand is going to be huge going forward.

“Over 42 years, we have helped to make a difference to people in the community and we wouldn’t have been able to do so without our supporters – their efforts are humbling.

“But we’re going to need more help than we’ve ever needed and it’s about keeping doors open, keeping as many people as we can safe and making sure no woman has to be turned away.”