Newspaper Article

On Wednesday I got asked to go down to the Hein Gericke shop with another one of the sponsored slimmers to meet up with a reporter from the newspaper. We got to do a little photoshoot and it was a lot of fun. Here is the article published by the Cumberland News:

Bikers and slimmers joining forces in memory of Carlisle baby

By Pamela McGowan Health reporter 

Bikers will ride out in memory of Carlisle baby Alfie-Joe Pattinson on the anniversary of his death this weekend.

Mum Kirsti Harrison has been working to raise awareness of stillbirth since he was born sleeping a year ago.

Friends have also been taking part in a sponsored slim for stillbirth charity Sands and will mark the anniversary with their final weigh-in.

Sunday’s ride out has been organised by staff at the Hein Gericke motorbike accessory store in St Nicholas Street, off London Road.

It will see a group of bikers set out from the store at 11am and ride the 180-mile route to Kielder in Northumberland. They will collect money for stillbirth charity Sands along the way.

Tony Rees, who is organising the event, said there is a group of local bikers who take part in a charity ride out every month. They were approached by Kirsti’s friend Nic Grierson, who has been co-ordinating the fundraising campaign.

“She came in asking for a donation for a raffle prize. We said we can do better than that – we’ll do a ride out,” he said.

“We’ve previously supported the air ambulance, breast cancer charities and the Eden Valley Hospice. This latest cause is one that affects a lot of people but isn’t really talked about.”

The ride out will be followed by the sponsored slim weigh-in at Harraby Community Centre from 2pm.

The day will then culminate in a celebratory Mokython.

Again it has been organised to coincide with the anniversary of Alfie-Joe’s death. More than 30 people signed up back in January to take part in a sponsored slim, each setting themselves a target to reach over a three-month period. Many of them knew Kirsti from Little Luvs Nursery in Petteril Bank, where she works.

Nic – one of the slimmers – said they have all raised a few hundred pounds to date and hope to further boost their total with a charity auction in Harraby on May 5.
She said it’s only since starting the fundraising that she’s realised how many people have been affected by stillbirth in Carlisle alone.

“Going around the shops and talking to people it’s quite unbelievable how many have been touched by it. It’s something people don’t seem to be able to talk about but Kirsti wants to change that.

“She’s still a mum, Alfie-Joe was her son and she wants people to talk about him,” she said.

“It’s also amazing how much this sponsored slim has really brought everyone together. I can honestly say we’ve all become really good friends.

“People have been so generous. I’m really proud to live in Carlisle. We have so many kind words and donations.”

The charity auction takes place at the Railway Club in Harraby on Saturday, May 5. Prizes to date include an afternoon recording a single to be released on iTunes, signed Carlisle United and Sale Sharks shirts.

Tickets (£5) are available from Picture U in London Road. Bids can be placed via the Alfie-Joe’s Charity Auction Evening Facebook page. Support the slimmers at www.justgiving.com/in-memory-of-alfie-joe.