We are walking the Lyke Wake walk in Memory of our gorgeous daughter/cousin/niece/sister/friend and all round amazing person – Sophie.

When Sophie was 15 months old, she needed a heart transplant which was carried out at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

She was a poorly girl suffering many health issues, but an extremely determined individual, regardless of pain and the many man-made obstacles that were put in front of her she set out to conquer them. One of these being the Lyke Wake Walk, which is a 40-mile trek across the North York Moors from Osmotherly to Ravenscar. A punishing walk for fit healthy individuals, but this was her goal to raise money for CHUF.

Sophie and her dad Steve trained every weekend until she believed the moment was right, York Radio interviewed her about the task ahead, she confidently spoke about her cause to raise money for CHUF and the determination to complete it.

During her many appointments at the Freeman Hospital she advised them of her quest, her doctors were concerned and her mum was terrified.

On the 15th June 2018 at 2am Sophie & Steve commenced their walk to raise money for CHUF. She never complained during a gruelling trek across steep hills & valleys, bogs and rock-strewn landscapes, a snippet from Sophie’s blog after completing the Lyke Wake Walk Quote: “I’m flagging, I’m aching, I’m in the words of my leader cream crackered. We arrive at Lila Cross and I think whoever is under there move over because I’m joining you. My thighs and feet are aching and my thoughts are in a state of flux, wondering how I’m going to complete this, but it’s such a worthy cause that I have to”

They managed to raise just under £3300 for CHUF and planned to conquer the 3 peaks in the Yorkshire Dales to continue the fund raising…sadly that was never to be. At the tender age of 27 she passed away.

One amazing girl the likes we will never see again; they broke the mould when she was born.

We Love You Loads

Mum, dad and the team x

Chuf's mission is to make life better for children and young people who are born with or who develop heart conditions by providing lifelong support to them and their families. Chuf supports children and families who receive treatment at the Children’s Heart Unit based at the Freeman Hospital and the many other hospitals providing care for cardiac patients throughout the North of England.