1 September 2020

Businessman Alexander Fitzgibbons has completed his epic self-propelled journey from London to Stockholm, raising over £1m for Child Bereavement UK, a charity for which he is a Trustee. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden joined the father of five as he ran the final 5km leg of his 2020+ kilometre journey, which began in London on August 14 with a ‘good luck’ message from Child Bereavement UK’s Royal Patron, The Duke of Cambridge. 

Supported by friends and family, Alexander has crossed the English Channel and the straits between Denmark and Sweden by kayak, run five marathons, and cycled more than 2,000 kilometres, all in 16 days.

The funds he has raised will go to his chosen charity, Child Bereavement UK, which helps children and young people (up to age 25), parents, and families, to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. It also provides training to professionals, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.

Alexander became involved with Child Bereavement UK five years ago after close friends were supported by the charity following the death of their daughter in a tragic riding accident. Seeing the support they received, Alexander decided to fundraise for the charity by completing an Ironman in 2015, and in 2018 he became a Trustee. 

Alexander said: “By fundraising for Child Bereavement UK, I hope to help the charity to continue supporting parents who have lost a child and bereaved children who have suffered the loss of a parent or someone important to them, particularly as bereavement due to the Covid-19 pandemic bites.

“Too many friends of mine have felt the shattering grief of losing a child; there have been seven children amongst my friends who have died. I had a burning desire to do something incredibly difficult and challenging to try and raise as much money as possible for Child Bereavement UK and in memory of their seven special children who are no longer with us. As one bereaved parent said to me, ‘Losing a child is one club you never, ever want to be a member of.’ This absolutely broke my heart, and I want to ensure that Child Bereavement UK has the funds to be able to continue to help as many parents as possible to find a way through the incredible grief of losing children.”

As well as helping Child Bereavement UK to support bereaved families and children, Alexander hopes his fundraising will enable the charity to share their experience in training for professionals into Europe and beyond. His challenge was entirely self-funded, ensuring Child Bereavement UK receives 100% of all donations made.

To support Alexander’s challenge go to:  

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alex-fitzgibbons

Photo:  Left to right - HRH Prince Daniel and HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Alexander Fitzgibbons, Cristina Stenbeck