In The Press
Sophie's Sweet Way to Help Charity
From The Bath Chronicle Thu 8 Dec, 2011
She's got her own battle with a condition that could easily get her down. But an 11-year-old Bath school girl is also raising money for other children with diabetes. And now Sophie Garcia, from Kingsdown, near Box has been nominated in the first Pride in Bath awards. Sophie was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of five and is fitted with an insulin pump. She is dedicated to raising money in her role as an ambassador for the Junior Diabetes Research Fund. Sophie, a pupil at the Royal High Junior School, is in the running for the Young Person of the Year title, which recognises people aged 18 and under who have done something inspirational and deserve recognition. When she was first diagnosed with diabetes, Sophie had to cope with up to four injections every day, until 18 months ago when she was fitted with the pump. This releases insulin into her body on a regular basis and has to be changed every three days. Despite this Sophie is just like any other 11 year-old, playing hockey and spending time with her friends. She spends most of her spare time making chocolates filled with different flavours and selling them at school for the fund. She was nominated by Royal High School teacher and press officer Deryck Goodman who said, "Since the age of seven, Sophie has taken responsibility for her condition herself, so she can lead a more independent life. Her natural enthusiasm and constant determination has led her to develop a range of fund-raising activities. This selfless determination accompanied by a cheeky smile may not be enough to find a cure today, but it all goes towards taking the next step on a journey to improve the quality of life for diabetics." Sophie's dad Andrew said he was pleased she had been recognised. He said: "I am so delighted that she has been nominated as I think she is remarkable. She doesn't want to be treated any differently from other children her age, and does everything they do. Sophie has become a mini-entrepreneur. She makes chocolates which her friends and teachers order, and then sells them to raise money. Despite her condition, she remains an upbeat, cheeky little girls."
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