My Story

Great North Run 2023 - I travelled Australia between school and university where I met Sophia. Whilst in Australia she was bitten by a tic. She showed no sign of symptoms at the time and we carried on our trip as normal, sharing wonderful experiences with one another on our travels. At the age of 26 Sophia started showing signs of Lyme Disease with fatigue and pain but we were all hopeful that things would get better. Tragically, her health has only worsened. We spoke almost weekly when I first found out but it became harder and harder for her to concentrate and communicate. It was heart wrenching knowing the pain she was having and there was nothing anyone could do to help. Sophia has remained positive throughout and her parents have been unbelievable with their support with her mum, Karen, changing her occupation to be Sophia’s full time carer. Sophia is one of kindest people I’ve ever met, she has always been more interested in other wellbeing before her own. This truly couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. Whilst things look bleak, I know Sophia will never give up and that her family are doing an incredible job to keep her comfortable. I’ve attached a few links to some blog posts below to understand the struggle Sophia has each and every day. Please support this wonderful charity and me in doing a half marathon in her name! This is a heavily underfunded disease and something that needs more gravitas in press and medical circles to research possible cures, to one day, allow Sophia to enjoy a normal life again.

https://lymediseaseuk.com/2018/02/06/recent-struggles-regaining-perspective-sophia-galpin/

https://karengalpin.medium.com/hugs-are-coming-back-but-not-for-sophia-8e3c3668ed9b