About Us

About the ALF

On the 15th December 2008, Lieutenant Aaron Lewis of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, was killed in action in Afghanistan. He was just 26 and on his first operational deployment.

Aaron wanted to make a difference in the world, bringing help to those in need. It was that belief which gave him the courage, hope and enthusiasm to deploy to Afghanistan.

Two years after his death, the Aaron Lewis Foundation was established by his family and friends to continue to make a difference in his memory. With unity and teamwork at its core, Aaron’s family, friends and former service colleagues work together to raise funds for causes close to Aaron’s heart, providing access to sport and wellbeing for all, while at the same time furthering his legacy.

If you wish to make a donation, or require easy access to fundraising, you can do so via our dedicated Just Giving page.

For a full list of those who have benefited from ALF fundraising, please click here.

About Lt. Aaron Lewis

Aaron had an unsurpassed zest for life, a quality that complemented his compassionate and caring nature, and his love of sport.

At a young age he played for Wasps FC youth rugby team and later went on to study at Loughborough University. This achievement was followed closely by the completion of a Mountain Leadership course, which enabled him to take disadvantaged children mountain climbing.

Making a positive difference to people’s lives was central to everything Aaron did, including his work as a fitness instructor in Hawkwell, Essex, where he committed himself particularly to helping those undergoing post-surgical rehabilitation.

Meet the Team

Lt Col (Retd) Steve Fraser MBE
Lt Col (Retd) Steve Fraser MBE

Trustee

Steve Fraser served in the Royal Artillery for 26 years and was the Second in Command of 29 Commando Regiment at the time of Aaron’s death. He lives in Somerset with his family and now looks after injured veterans.

Helen Lewis
Helen Lewis

Trustee

Prior to his death, Aaron’s mum Helen worked within the NHS for 16 years. She now works passionately in her son’s memory, establishing links in the local community and with the numerous military charities she has encountered since.

Simon Jones
Simon Jones

Trustee

Simon and Aaron became friends while playing rugby at Westcliff RFC around the mid-1990s. Both played at a high level representing club and counties, including a tour to South Africa in 1999. He now lives with his family in Plymouth.

Ryan Brown
Ryan Brown

Founder / Head of Brand & Creative

A London-based designer and art director, Ryan is responsible for the design and branding across the Aaron Lewis Foundation.
He and Aaron were close friends, having met aged 11 at Westcliff High School for Boys.

Anna Bakonyvari
Anna Bakonyvari

Treasurer

Anna is a Chartered Accountant and works at a practice in Westcliff-on-Sea. As Treasurer, Anna works closely with the Trustees to oversee and safeguard all aspects of the Foundation’s financial management.

Patric Redding
Patric Redding

Fundraising & Sponsorship

Managing Director at Facilities Management company 7PFM, Patric is responsible for sponsorship and advertising opportunities across the ALF brand. He and Aaron were close friends having met aged 11 at Westcliff Rugby Club where they played together another ten years until Aaron took up his Commission at Sandhurst.

Nick Frawley
Nick Frawley

Fundraising & Sponsorship

Nick is a Premises Manager in a South London Secondary School and enjoys seeing the positive outcome that his efforts have with the children that come from a sometimes challenging demographic. Since being introduced to the ALF, he has enjoyed supporting them and strongly believes that in the true spirit of Aaron, the help they give really makes a difference.