In January 2012, a group of Sophia Forrester’s friends and family got together to fundraise in her memory with the target of raising £10,000 by Sophia’s 21st Birthday. Below is a write up of the year written by Sophia’s sister.

“What started as a few of us meeting up for Christmas drinks discussing doing one walk for CRY in memory of my sister Sophia (right) evolved into slightly more than that…

Sophia’s Gang was created; a group of Sophia’s family and friends from school, college and university. In January 2012 the challenge was set to raise £10,000 by 4th October 2012 – Sophia’s 21st birthday.

We wanted to raise awareness of the great work of CRY and the challenge provided a good opportunity for everyone who missed Sophia to work together in her memory.

One of the first events Sophia’s Gang held was An Evening with Adele Parks, in Preston. As Sophia’s favourite author, Adele was the perfect special guest and the evening was great fun and as a result Sophia’s Gang raised over £1000 that night.

Sporting challenges proved very popular, with friends and family volunteering to walk, run and cycle to help us reach the £10,000 target.

College friends around the country raised money in many different ways, including a pub quiz, a cake sale and running 100m wearing a heart costume at the Olympic track.

In June, Sophia’s Gang members battled against the elements and successfully completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge and National Three Peak Challenge – climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in under 24 hours!

Dad and his partner Ishbel impressively cycled 220 miles around France in 5 days and climbed two of Scotland’s highest mountains – raising over £5000 in total.

By mid-June we passed the £10,000 target. We set a new target – £20,000.

Ambitious yes, but I had witnessed the force of Sophia’s Gang over the first 6 months and it was not to be underestimated.

More events followed including primary school pupils raising money at The Gleddings Preparatory School and 10 of us climbing Snowdon. We love our mountains!

As we approached Sophia’s birthday I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions and we were so close to £20,000…

On the 3rd of October, Sophia’s Gang rallied round and amazed me once again as we flew past £20,000 and hit £21,153.75! (including Gift Aid)

Reaching £21,000 in time for Sophia’s 21st birthday, I am a very happy sister and extremely proud of everyone involved in Sophia’s Gang.”

Natasha Forrester