‘We will write a note to daddy on a balloon and let it off to meet him in the stars’ grieving Bedford mum tells young son

Georgie Scott and Alfie’s lives were turned upside down when Georgie’s partner Tom Mahendran died on March 23. He was 35 years old.

Before the tragedy the family had been planning a dream trip to Disneyland Paris with friends now coming together to help pay for the trip and create a memory fund for Alfie’s future.

Georgie, of Biddenham, said. “Alfie has just turned two, so he is wild and definitely keeping me busy through this tough time.

“Tom was such a loving dad and partner and always loved joking around and being that silly daddy to Alfie. If he wasn’t cooking for us he was outside on a walk or curled up on the sofa playing cards, Very competitive mind you.

“We had planned a trip to Disney and Alfie is so excited about Buzz Lightyear. But daddy is now up in the stars with Buzz if you ask Alfie.”

The fundraiser, organised by friends Charlie Jarvis-Banks and Jennifer Grindley, has already reached more than £9k towards a target of £16k.

Their fundraiser states: “In the wake of such a devastating loss, we want to surround Georgie and Alfie with as much love and practical support as possible.

“The family had been planning a dream trip to Disney – a trip they were meant to take as a family of three. While the circumstances have changed in a way that is difficult to put into words, we believe more than ever that Georgie and Alfie deserve that moment of magic and a chance to find some peace and joy amidst the pain.”

They say the funds raised will go directly to Georgie to help cover the costs of a trip to Disney and general support for the family as they navigate an incredibly difficult transition.

Money raised will also help create a ‘memory fund’ for Alfie’s future.

Georgie added: “Honestly, thank you so much.

“The scale of this support has changed everything. While the original plan was a trip to Paris, this fund has now made Disney World Florida a possibility. “For Alfie, who currently tells people his Daddy is on the moon, this trip will be a vital part of the magical memories he deserves.

"I can take Alfie to Disney to meet Buzz. We will write a note to daddy on a balloon and let it off to meet him in the stars.” The fundraiser adds: “The reach of this fundraiser has been incredible. We are seeing donations from every corner of Tom’s life – from the rugby world and his colleagues to the West End community through Tom’s brother. "To see so many people, including those who never even met Tom, stepping up to secure Alfie’s future is breathtaking.

“No contribution is too small, and every bit of support helps remind them that they are not walking this path alone.

“It has been nearly three weeks since we lost Tom on March 23. For Georgie, it feels no more real today than it did then, but the support here is providing a massive pillar of strength as the reality sinks in.

“We also continue to honour the wish of Tom’s mum to raise awareness for Andy’s Man Club in his memory, keeping the conversation around men's mental health open.”

You can donate to the GoFundMe fundraiser here.

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