Hednesford boy, 10, writes hundreds of letters to those in need
"He's putting a smile on people's faces and that's all he wants to do."
A 10-year-old boy has written hundreds of letters to vulnerable people after being inspired by Captain Tom.
Alfie Wright, who has autism, was inspired by the veteran NHS fundraiser and wanted to take on a challenge like his hero.
It led to the Hednesford-based youngster writing letters to elderly people across the UK – and even one to Canada – who feel lonely due to self-isolating.
His mother Abbie Wright said: "Alfie has autism and he gets these interests and when he saw Captain Tom, he was really inspired by him.
"He said he would like to do the same thing but I said it would be easy for him to do – he needed to do something difficult for him.
"He struggles with school work due to being out of routine – he finds it challenging to focus.
"It's difficult for him to write letters and his name is Wright, so he came up with 'Alfie Writes Lovely Letters'."
The 10-year-old has been helped by his father Adam and youngster sister Darcy, aged five, to deliver around 360 letters.
The youngster was inspired by his grandmother and his teachers at Gorsemoor Primary School.
The 33-year-old said: "We've recently lost his nan, May, and he said that his nan would've been lonely and he said we were all lucky because we have families.
"He's getting her excise by delivering most of them using his bike and he's using his pocket money to buy stamps.
"I'm so proud because I know how challenging it is for him to focus – he is really out of his comfort zone doing this.
"He s really determined to do this and the comments we've received have been overwhelming.
"I posted it on Facebook and we had people contacting us to say how his letters have cheered them or their relatives up.
"I always knew he was amazing and he's so lovely too."
She said the youngster had been in constant contact with Gorsemoor Primary School – especially with teacher Louise Roden.
Abbie, who works as a housing manager for Bromford Housing Association, specifically takes care of vulnerable people at Lea Hall Place in Rugeley.
She said: "It's a misconception that a lot of people with autism can't be empathetic but he is definitely empathetic – too much because he really feels and thinks people must be lonely."
A fundraising page has so far raised more than £300.
To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alfiewriteslovelyletters
