A North Yorkshire market town came to a standstill as the people of Bedale paid their respects to ten-year-old Alfie Hutchinson.
Despite being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2020, Alfie was determined to live life to the full and packed a host of adventures into his final few years. He was renowned for his smile, for his love of football and his jokes.
After Alfie underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy and three months of MRI scans he visited Disneyland and saw Santa in Lapland thanks to fundraising, including a gala day at Bedale Sports and Athletic Club supported by numerous stars from sports and entertainment.
Tragically the tumour returned, and last year his parents Louise and James received the devastating news that it could not be treated.
In typical Alfie style he was determined to continue doing what he enjoyed most in life - playing football - and was proud to captain his team at Bedale Junior Football Club.
A pupil at Crakehall Primary School, he kept playing football right up to just three weeks before his death and would meet up with his pals from Crakehall and from Bedale Primary School for a kickabout.
“He played until he couldn’t kick a ball,” said mum Louise. “We have lots of good days and lots of memories to remember Alfie. We’ve been looking at videos he made on his mobile which we hadn’t seen before and they are lovely. It also made us smile to see that right to the end he had been researching jokes on the internet.”
In one of his last days out with his siblings Aaron, 12, Freddie, four, and Charlie, two, Alfie was able to attend the wedding of Louise and James in February and celebrated by polishing off an enormous bowl of chips.
Alfie’s teammates wearing club colours were amongst hundreds of mourners who lined the Market Place as the cortege travelled to St Gregory’s Church.
“Alfie brightened the days of everyone with his infectious smile and cracking sense of humour,” said Louise. “Our Alf will be deeply missed by everyone who was lucky enough to know him.”
The family asked that any donations be made to OSCARS Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity and Young Lives vs Cancer.
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