Rustington’s inspirational Sophie astounds again

TO LOOK at her, you would never know that just a few years ago, Sophie Nugent could barely walk.
All smiles . . . Remarkable disabled girl Sophie Nugent at the start of her charity run which raised more than £3,000All smiles . . . Remarkable disabled girl Sophie Nugent at the start of her charity run which raised more than £3,000
All smiles . . . Remarkable disabled girl Sophie Nugent at the start of her charity run which raised more than £3,000

But after two visits to the US for major surgery, countless painful physiotherapy sessions and the help of the Gazette area’s community, seven-year-old Sophie has once again stunned all those who know her by not only walking almost a mile – but running it.

The remarkable youngster, who lives with her family in Rustington, was born with cerebral palsy.

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However, following a pioneering, £40,000 operation in America in 2009, further surgery in 2011 and a rigorous programme of physiotherapy, Sophie is now moving forwards in leaps and bounds.

Last Wednesday (March 27), she joined around 150 children, aged between 11 and 14, from The Angmering School, as well as Gazette reporter Tom Cotterill, in a specially-organised fund-raising run in her honour. All those competing tackled a gruelling five-mile course from the school gates, to Highdown and back, with Sophie leading the pack at the start.

The run, which generated an impressive £3,036.85 for Sophie’s appeal, was a stark contrast to last year’s event, which was blessed with blissful sunshine and sweltering temperatures.

As the starting pistol sounded, a brief flurry of snow greeted the fun runners – many of whom were wearing fancy dress.

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Sophie managed to equal her best distance, running up to the Worthing Rugby Club, in Roundstone Lane.

However, instead of being picked up by her family, Sophie turned around and ran all the way back to the school – something which left her proud mum, Debbi, overwhelmed.

For the full story, plus pictures, see this week’s Littlehampton Gazette (Thursday, April 4).