Main fundraiser photo

Arm 4 Alfie

Hi, my name is Megan, and I'd like to introduce you to 5 year old Alfie.

Alfie was born without his right hand, and although he doesn't let it hold him back, there are just some things you need 2 hands for! So the aim of this campaign is to raise funds to make sure Alfie can have 3D printed prosthetics built for him as he grows, and then hopefully have some funds left over to go towards a more permanent prosthetic once he's fully grown!

Just a little bit of background on this campaign:
I have just graduated with a BA (Hons) in Product Design from the National College of Art & Design in Dublin, and for my Major Project, I developed a functional 3D printed arm and hand system for children (as modelled by Alfie) called aumentarM which can grow with them and has a custom changeable skin. Unfortunately my design is still realistically in the development phase and isn't ready for Alfie to  use permanently, however there are a lot of fully developed ones already available to download and build.

During the research phase of my project I learned that children need their prosthetic refit often - roughly every 6 months - and a standard arm/hand would typically cost around €40,000. This is insane - a prosthetic should be easily accessible and affordable to those that need them, but the sad reality is that most are unable to pay this exorbitant price tag.

By comparison, 3D printed limbs are typically around 100 times cheaper, much lighter, do not require time consuming trips to a prosthetist every six months, and are far more customisable, meaning the child can build a prosthetic they are truly proud of.

Having a prosthetic greatly increases opportunity socially, educationally, and in the workplace, and I am fortunate enough to be in a position as a designer, where I can provide this vital item to an amazing little boy and afford him all the same opportunities as his able-bodied peers!

I was lucky enough to be introduced to Alfie and his family through Sammy Payne, the COO of Open Bionics  - one of my hero companies! They were kind enough to allow me into their lives, test my prosthetic, and give me invaluable feedback that ultimately helped me achieve a high final grade!

Since Alfie and his family helped me out so much with the most important project I've done to date, the least I can do for him is to help ensure that he gets the prosthetic he deserves, needs and wants!

Even if it's just a euro you can spare, anything you can give towards this campaign will be hugely appreciated. You will be making a little boy the happiest child on the planet - if you had seen the look in his eyes and the smile on his face when he tried on my prototype for the first time you'd know just how ecstatic he will be to get a 'robot hand' as he calls them!

Please do share this amongst your friends and family and anybody else you think could help out! I will post more photos and updates as the campaign progresses!

Thank you so so very much to all who donate and spread the word!

Megan X
Donate

Donations 

  • Yasir Awan
    • €20 
    • 7 yrs
  • Kt Kerkeltron
    • €5 (Offline)
    • 8 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Megan Tissington
Organizer

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.