The “Alfies Ramp” campaign has been launched by family and friends, after a tragic crash left the Sheffield teen indefinitely wheelchair bound, with life-changing injuries.
Alfie Kawka, 17, from Wisewood, was knocked off his Moped, when trying to safely overtake on a Sheffield road. The back wheel of his moped was clipped by the car behind him, sending him into oncoming traffic.
After rolling under a second car, Alfie received a broken back, a bleed on the brain and multiple breaks to his ribs and shoulders.
On his arrival to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital, he was placed into an emergency coma for three days, after which he began the long road to recovery.
The crash occurred three months after the death of Alfie’s father, which left the family with extensive funeral costs. They are now facing further expenses in order to modify their house to accommodate Alfie, who will have to rely on a wheelchair for mobility, for the foreseeable future.
The GoFundMe was started this week by his mother, Rachel Kawka, 41, after the crash on the 19th of March 2023.
Mrs Kawka explained:
“We are trying to get him home ASAP but we need to raise some cash to have a ramp put in at our home because he is going to be wheelchair bound.
“He can’t walk unaided at the moment. It would make his life so much easier.”
Over the last three days, the family have raised £1000’s. However, Alfie’s family anticipate the modifications to their home will be very expensive.
Close friend, Ella Mae Fieldsend, 18, described Alfie as a “strong” character:
“He was obsessed with Bikes and was so excited to receive his moped on his 16th birthday.
“He’s the type of person that does not want anyone to worry about him. He is still trying to stay strong for his family.”
Described as “brave” by his family, Alfie is still recovering in Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital and has been receiving daily physiotherapy including hydrotherapy and assisted walking exercises.
“Every single day he is doing some kind of physio,” Fieldsend said.
The family said money raised from the GoFundMe will also be used to cover any future expenses that he may need to further his recovery.
So far they are a tenth of the way to their £10,000 goal.
To support ‘Alfie’s Ramp’ and his recovery, you can visit the links to the GoFundMe here: Fundraiser by Rachel Kawka : Alfie’s ramp (gofundme.com)