Sunderland dad takes on Great North Run in aid of charity who gave him a place to stay during 3-year-old daughter's brain tumour battle

Will Hope, 33 from Houghton, will be running the 13.1 miles to give other families a place to stay at The Sick Children’s Trust ‘Home from Home’ Crawford House after he and his wife Laura, 33 were supported by the charity when their daughter, Sophie was suddenly diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Sophie, 4 spent a month in Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary in 2019 when she was just a toddler and underwent four major surgeries.

Dad Will, who is a mortgage adviser and his wife stayed at the ‘Home from Home’ which is just a few minutes’ walk from the children’s wards and has 24 family bedrooms, shared communal areas and laundry facilities.

Since leaving hospital and Crawford House, Sophie’s family and friends have been fundraising for The Sick Children’s Trust.

Will said: “Crawford House was a lifeline for our family at the most difficult time. The staff were so welcoming and supportive, the facilities perfect for our needs and most importantly, it meant our family could be together any time, at the most difficult time of our lives.

"Crawford House was indispensable to us. This is why we continue to fundraise.”

Will’s half marathon is the latest in a long line of events the family have hosted for the charity, and he will also be joined by his brother Jonny, colleague Lee and friend Louis.

He added: “Sophie is doing really well and is starting reception at the same school she went to nursery which she absolutely loves! She is getting more active and confident every day and we are so proud of how far she has come.

“On race day, hopefully Sophie and Laura will be at the finish line waiting for me and that will keep me motivated on the route. Not only that but thinking about what the charity did for us during Sophie’s initial treatment was something we couldn’t have done without and will always appreciate immensely.”

This year’s Great North Run takes place on Sunday, September 12.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our news and sport, see fewer ads, experience faster load times, test your brain with daily puzzles and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

The Sunderland Echo has been on Wearside since 1873, and your support means we can continue telling your stories for generations to come. Click here to subscribe.