Banburyshire man launches 'keepy uppies' football fundraising challenge to help the NHS

Alfie Ratcliffe, aged 22, of Great Bourton, has launched a 24 days of keepy uppies fundraising challenge to help the NHS. The challenge involves Alfie spending an hour each day for 24 straight days of doing 'keepy uppies'. A 'keepy uppy' is the act of bouncing a ball (most often a football) off any part of your body except your hand or arm as many times as you can without it touching the ground.

So far most of the challenge has taken place after work for Alfie in the dark and in all types of weather - even in the snow.

He is about halfway through the 24-day challenge and has nearly raised £1,000. But he is trying to raise as much as possible to try and reach his £5,000 target.

Anyone who would like to Alfie's 'keepy uppy' challenge for the NHS can use the following JustGiving web link:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alfie-ratcliffe?utm_source

Alfie, who plays football for Hanwell Athletic, said: “The aim for this fundraiser was to raise as much money as possible for the NHS during the one of the toughest times they will ever face.

"I wanted to do something to help rather than just complaining about lockdown. ‘Protecting’ the NHS is simply not enough, we must help to fund it, if we can.”