A nine-year-old fundraising hero has appeared on the famous sofa next to Lorraine Kelly.

Alfie McAnespie, a Montgomery Junior School pupil, sat alongside the TV presenter on her show on Friday.

Alfie, who lives in St Michael’s estate, Colchester, is climbing Ben Nevis on July 22 in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for military charity Help for Heroes.

He will be joined by Coronation Street star Anthony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully in the soap.

Mr Cotton appeared alongside Alfie on on the ITV show. Alfie and his mum had contacted Anthony on Twitter, asking him to join in with the climb.

He said: “I didn’t realise how far away it was, and it’s going to take about eight hours.

“But it’s for a great charity, it’s going to be a fun day out and it’s an achievement.

“There was only one answer and that was yes.”

Alfie shot to fame when he became the youngest Help for Heroes fundraiser.

As a 16-month-old tot, he walked almost one mile unaided and raised £1,000 for the soldiers’ charity.

Last year, he scaled Mount Snowdon to raise money for former Para John Prosser to get a specially adapted wheelchair after injuring himself in a series of hard landings.

Instead of birthday presents, Alfie asked for donations to the charity from his family and friends.

Speaking on Lorraine, Alfie said: “I said to myself and my mum I have got everything I need, I’ve got my family and I’ve got love.”

His dad, Lee, recorded a message which was played live and brought tears to Alfie’s eyes.

Gazette:

Lee is a captain in the third battalion, and will be away at work when Alfie does the climb.

His dad said: “You must understand how immensely proud I am.”

This is not the end of the road for Alfie, next on his list is scaling Scafell Pike in the Lake District - he managed to rope Anthony in, too.

Proud mum, Anja McAnespie, said: “Alfie and his dad have got the closest relationship you could ever imagine and I think the whole nation was in tears.

“I’m proud of Alfie regardless of what he does as he’s passionate and he always wants to make people happy.”

He took part in some last-minute fundraising by helping shoppers pack their bags at Marks & Spencer.

To donate www.justgiving.com/fundraising/h4haaa.