'I wanted to repay the cancer charities that helped me'

Sophia and her family regularly raise money for Candlelighters

A schoolgirl who underwent more than four years of intensive treatment to tackle a rare form of cancer has said fundraising is her way of thanking the organisations that supported her.

Sophia, 10, from Harrogate, was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia aged three, and relapsed in 2021, but has been in remission for the past two years.

Throughout chemotherapy and multiple operations, she has raised more than £10,000 for cancer charity Candlelighters through a sponsored head shave and a walk.

"[I'm] proud that all my hard work has paid off helping the cancer community," Sophia said.

Earlier this month, Sophia was recognised for her efforts at the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards, where she received the Amazing Achievement award.

Mum Kate described her as "amazing" and "an inspiration to others".

In 2018, Sophia was taken to hospital for blood tests following a period of ill health which she had been "back and forth to the doctor about".

After being diagnosed, she then had to undergo intensive treatment including chemotherapy and blood and platelet transfusions.

Despite losing her hair twice, being unable to walk and living with pain, Kate said Sophia remained positive, and rang the hospital's end-of-treatment bell in 2020.

The family then tried to "live life to the max" and to make up for lost time by giving Sophia and younger sister Milly new experiences they'd missed out on.

However, the following year her health deteriorated and Sophia relapsed.

"We went through the whole process again, another two-and-a-half years of gruelling treatment," Kate said.

"She had to re-learn how to walk, it affected her eyes, it affected her hearing and it affected her confidence but through all of it she's always stayed so strong, so upbeat."

The family raised money through a sponsored head shave

Sophia said it was because she liked to "see the good in people and in everything that happens".

"When people around me are happy and positive, it makes me feel extra happy too, like I've been charged up with good vibes," she said.

The family used the services of organisations including Candlelighters, a Yorkshire charity which offers support to children and their families going through cancer.

Even when Sophia was ill and going through chemotherapy, she wanted to raise money for good causes, including those that were directly helping her.

This involved a sponsored head shave when she started to lose her hair, multiple school bake sales and completing 150 laps of the back lane behind her house.

Sophia said creating and selling the cakes at the bake sales was her favourite fundraising idea.

She was able to ring the bell again in September 2023, to signal the end of her second round of cancer treatment.

Her fundraising has not slowed down in remission; in 2024 she completed a five-mile (8.04km) walk for Red Cross, and this year, she ran the Race for Life.

Sophia ringing the bell to mark the end of cancer treatment

She is also a keen dancer, and loves crocheting and reading Lottie Brooks books.

"She is inspiring - people can't believe sometimes that three years ago, she was learning to walk again," Kate said.

"I have to remind myself of how far she's really come."

She said the family was now looking forward to living "a normal life".

She acknowledged that younger daughter Milly had been "through it all as well, and doesn't always get the credit" for how Sophia's illness affected her life.

However, they are all still keen to tackle more charity challenges in the future.

"Every year, we say one of us will do at least one event for charity, whether that's something big and crazy or much smaller," Kate added.

"After being through a horrendous, brutal, cruel time yourself, you do call upon charities and they do help you out.

"So all you want to do is give back, and try and repay the favour."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.