Hospital trust honours schoolgirl's legacy
Sophie's LegacyA 10-year-old girl's dying wish to make hospitals a better place for children and families are being put into practice.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) NHS Trust has become the first in the region, and only the third nationally, to receive Sophie's Legacy Approved Hospital recognition.
It is named after Sophie Fairall who died in September 2021, just one year after being diagnosed with rare childhood cancer Rhabdomyosarcoma.
Before she died she identified three things she wanted to change - better food for children, meals for parents staying with their child and access to play specialists seven days a week.
The trust now provides meals for parents staying overnight, a dedicated children's menu and seven-day play specialist support.
The menu took about 12 months to develop and was formally introduced in March.
Some 18,000 meals are prepared from scratch each week across the trust.
'An enormous difference'
Head of facilities Stuart Wray said: "Sophie was only 10, but the things she identified were practical, important changes that can make a lasting difference to thousands of families.
"It is very special for our teams to now play a part in carrying that legacy forward.
"We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition because ultimately it is about making hospital a little easier for children and their families at what can be a very difficult time."
CDDFTPlay specialists help children understand treatment, prepare for procedures and cope with being in hospital.
Sophie's mum, Charlotte Fairall, from Hampshire, turned her daughter's wishes into change through Sophie's Legacy.
She said: "Sophie was very clear about the things she wanted to change for other children in hospital, and it means so much to see those wishes being put into practice.
"Things such as making sure a parent can eat while staying beside their sick child, giving children food they actually want to eat and having access to a play specialist every day can make an enormous difference during an incredibly difficult time.
"I'm delighted to recognise County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust for making these commitments and helping us continue Sophie's legacy."
