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.
Two years after his death, the Aaron Lewis Foundation was established by his family, friends and former service colleagues to continue to make a difference in his memory. With unity and teamwork at its core, Foundation volunteers and supporters deliver life-changing outcomes to a variety of causes close to Aaron’s heart throughout Essex and nationally for the service and ex-service community.
If we can help you or someone you know, please get in touch through our contact page.
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 the ALF and its supporters, please click here.
ABOUT AARON LEWIS
Aaron had an unsurpassed zest for life, a quality that complemented his compassionate and caring nature, and his love of sport. From a young age he immersed himself in rugby, going on to be selected for the Wasps youth rugby team before going to Loughborough University and then Sandhurst where he continued to play at a very high level.
Making a positive difference to people’s lives was central to everything Aaron did; he worked as a fitness instructor in Essex and committed himself particularly to helping those undergoing post-injury rehabilitation. He also spent time volunteering overseas and gained a Mountain Leader qualification so he could take disadvantaged children out safely into the natural environment.
MEET THE TEAM
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.
Lt Col (Retd) Steve Fraser MBE
Trustee
Steve served in the Royal Artillery for 25 years and was the Second in Command of 29 Commando Regiment at the time of Aaron’s death. He lives in Somerset and continues to support Aaron’s family and other veterans.
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.
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.
Julia Harvey
Marketing & Communications
Julia is a Marketing Consultant with significant experience in non-profits. She works closely with the Trustees and leads on activities to increase the Foundation’s visibility and impact. She is the wife of one of Aaron’s childhood friends and is inspired by the Foundation’s work.
Patric Redding
Fundraising & Sponsorship
Patric is responsible for sponsorship and advertising opportunities. He and Aaron were close friends having met aged 11 at Westcliff Rugby Club where they played together for ten years until Aaron went to University and then Sandhurst.
Nick Frawley
Beneficiary Outreach
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.
Lewis Harvey
ALF10’s Tournament Orgnaniser
In addition to organising the annual ALF10s Rugby Tournament, Lewis has participated in several competitions to raise money for the ALF, including the London Marathon, Southend Half Marathon, and Southend Triathlon. He and Aaron became friends while playing rugby at Westcliff Rugby Club as youngsters and continued to play together for many years.