Eight-year-old Sophie Cole was so moved by Captain Tom Moore’s fundraising efforts that she was inspired to think about what she could do to help frontline staff.
Sophie, from Cringleford, was nominated to do the 5k challenge by her cousin but wanted to do something like Captain Tom to help people. Mum Carla said: "We set her up a Just Giving page and chose the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust because people’s mental health is an important issue in these challenging times.
"She was clapped and cheered off by our neighbours who made a real fuss of her. They were all waiting in their gardens on our return and she got a massive welcome home. We had a finish line, banners balloons etc. It was quite emotional. We are so immensely proud of what she's achieved and she has raise more than £900."
Sophie, who goes to the local primary school, (and mum) ran and walked 10k . “Sophie was keen to really challenge herself so decided on 10k,” said Carla. They set their target at £50, expecting just family and friends to donate.
Carla, and dad Richard, are obviously both very proud, saying their daughter has always been very caring. “It’s the first thing we always hear about at parents’ evenings at her school and she dotes on her little sister Hollie (four). She is always keen to help people and I’m sure she will end up in a caring profession. That’s her personality,” said Carla.
Dawn Collins, Deputy Lead Nurse at NSFT, said: “We were delighted to hear about Sophie’s brilliant efforts to raise money for our hard-working staff and to make lives of service users on the wards easier in these difficult times."
