More than £120,000 has been raised in aid of flood-hit football club AFC Wimbledon, with more than 3,000 individual donations on the JustGiving page, set up by lifelong fan Graham Stacey.
But one generous child’s message stands out among the thousands.
“I hope my pocket money helps to fix your pitch. Alfie Harrison (Lichfield City U10s) £10.”
Nine-year-old Nottingham Forest fan Alfie had no connection to Wimbledon, but when he saw the damage at Plough Lane caused by torrential rainfall and flooding from the River Wandle, he wanted to do what he could to help the club.
His £10 donation on Monday helped inspire fans around the country to contribute to the appeal, which the club have today asked to be paused until more is known about the overall cost of the damage.
And as a thank you, two Dons fans have invited him and his family down to Plough Lane, when the Cherry Red Records stadium is able to host matches again, to be the club’s mascot for the day.
‘Alfie was blown away – he hasn’t stopped smiling’
“He was absolutely blown away with it because it was just a little donation to help the club,” Alfie’s mum Michelle Harrison told BBC Sport.
“He really has not stopped smiling. He always has a smile on his face but it’s permanently there at the moment.
“Alfie is a very kind little kid and if he could help anyone, then he would.”
Alfie, who lives near Burton-upon-Trent, is a keen footballer and has played for Mickleover and AFC Chellaston in Derby, as well as Tutbury Tigers.
He is looking forward to the opportunity to walk out with the Wimbledon players at some point when the stadium is able to host matches again.
“I was very happy and proud of my donation,” he said. “Football is a sport for everyone.”
The damage to the stadium happened as parts of central and southern England experienced more than a month’s rain overnight from Sunday into Monday.
Club buildings, including the museum and shop, were filled with water, as well as the concourses around the ground, and areas of the pitch were damaged.
More than 100,000 litres of water has been pumped from the site.
‘Alfie captured the moment – he’s a superstar’
Wimbledon’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Newcastle United, who have donated £15,000 to the fund, has been postponed to Tuesday and will now be played at St James’ Park.
While League Two games against Accrington Stanley on Saturday and Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday have also been called off.
The club had been hopeful of completing repairs in time for their next scheduled home game against Carlisle United on Saturday, 12 October.
The impact of Alfie’s donation did not go unnoticed by Wimbledon fans who were keen to reward him for his generosity.
Supporter Ray Armfield, who volunteers his time doing stadium tours at the club, tracked down the family to thank them by contacting Lichfield City’s under-10s coach.
He and Ian Robinson, whose legal firm sponsors the scoreboard at Plough Lane, came up with the idea of inviting Alfie, along with his parents David and Michelle, for a tour and hospitality experience on a matchday, with Alfie walking out on to the pitch as a mascot.
“What Alfie did captured the moment and struck a particular note of optimism at a time when we needed it – he’s a superstar,” Robinson said.
“He’s done a wonderful thing and the club have assured me they’re going to make an absolute fuss of him.”
