Alex Goodwin's visit to Richard III's Middleham

Alex Goodwin is a young Ricardian. At age 8 he was diagnosed with life-threatening bone cancer. Seven years later, after incredibly tough treatment, including numerous surgeries and chemotherapy, he is awaiting a last operation which hopefully will allow him to lead a close-to-normal life.

During his treatment, Alex learned about the real Richard III and about the king’s own experiences with tough life challenges and disability. You can read about how Alex relates to Richard’s story in his own words at Alexanders Journey 
A year ago, Alex drew up a list of important places connected to King Richard’s life that he wanted to visit. These are Fotheringhay (his birthplace), Ludlow, York, Bosworth Battlefield, Leicester (where he’s buried) and Middleham (his primary home in the north of England through much of his adult life, and where his son was born and died). Thanks in part to members of the Richard III Society, Alex has now visited all of them – except Middleham Castle.

When they heard Alex’s story, a group of authors who have themselves been inspired by Richard III decided to invite Alex along to the Richard III Festival at Middleham on 2–3 July. We will be gathering there to read from and sign our books, and now to show Alex the castle and what life would have been like when Richard lived there. As Alex and his family have recently moved to Dorset to be closer to a special clinic for his treatment, the visit now involves staying locally.

This fundraiser is to fund the costs of that stay so Alex and his family can enjoy the Festival to the full.

The Ricardian community has often shown itself to be very generous – most spectacularly 10 years ago when sufficient funds were raised in just a few days to allow the archaeological dig that found King Richard’s grave to go ahead. We hope this appeal can be as successful in helping Alex have a memorable visit to King Richard’s home – the ‘Windsor of the North’ - and encouraging this next generation of young Ricardians! Thank you for anything you can contribute.

The authors involved in the event are Toni Mount, Maryann Benbow, Bridget Beauchamp, Joanne Larner, Susan Lamb, and Alex Marchant. Please follow them and Alex on social media to see updates from Middleham over the weekend.

If more money is raised than is required for hotel and travel on the weekend, it will be added to the general fund for Alex’s next surgery. For further details (or to donate directly), please go to Alex’s website .