"“I remember our family receiving wellbeing support, help to fill out forms to gain financial support, a constant listening ear and updates on the latest changes and developments in care. They provided leaflets, child friendly books, and we felt they were there for us all."

Sophie had never been a runner and admits that the thought of running 1km let alone 21km would have been ‘the stuff of nightmares’. Now, however, the 27-year-old trainee solicitor has signed up for the Super Halfs, a series of six half marathons taking place around Europe in a bid to raise as much as she can to support young people with liver disease. Here’s why:    

“I was three years old when my sister, Ellie was born,” says Sophie. “She was only a few weeks old when she was diagnosed with biliary atresia and just five months when she underwent a liver transplant. Obviously at the time I had no idea how serious this was – I just remember staying with my grandparents for a few months while Els, mum and dad were at the hospital. We were lucky to have a very supportive family.

“As we were growing up, Ellie’s condition did mean that she would become very tired and was more susceptible to certain illnesses, for example she had to fully isolate during a chicken pox outbreak at school as this would have meant full hospitalisation. There were a few A&E visits and countless trips to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital or Great Western Hospital in Swindon, but mum always made these fun somehow and the nurses were incredible. I would usually wander down to the ward playroom with a wonderful nurse called Claire during Ellie’s blood tests and appointments – all the nurses we encountered made our lives so much easier. “

“Because I had my liver transplant so young, this is all I have ever known,” adds Ellie. “My childhood was full of doctors’ appointments, scans, and surgeries. I had multiple deficiencies when I was a child. I had rickets which meant frequent physiotherapy appointments, and I had to wear specialised shoes for extra support. I am also hypermobile which meant I had a wheelchair as a child and would get exhausted to the point of not being able to stand on my own. Despite all of this I had a very happy childhood, my family and friends helped me feel like everything was going to be ok and I never felt judged by those closest to me. 

 “Shortly after my diagnosis, my parents were introduced to the CLDF team (now part of Liver UK) and being supported by them made everything a lot easier. They held residential trips for children who were facing liver disease, events you could attend and meet people who were going through the same thing. I am 23 now and because of the support I received, I am now at a point in my life where my liver disease, transplant, and recovery do not define me.”  

CLDF’s support was not confined to Ellie as Sophie recalls: “I remember our family receiving wellbeing support, help to fill out forms to gain financial support, a constant listening ear and updates on the latest changes and developments in care. They provided leaflets, child friendly books, and we felt they were there for us all. They even provided the opportunity for our mum to give talks to health professionals to explain the impact of biliary atresia, the early warning signs, and the need to take jaundice seriously.” 

Because of this, the family had always been keen fundraisers for CLDF: “I remember   celebrating Big Yellow Fridays in school and donating every December in place of sending Christmas cards,” says Sophie. “But having seen what Ellie went through and what my parents dealt with as a result, I have always wanted to do something individually to raise as much money as possible for CLDF and it felt like the right time. Ellie is now a healthy and happy 23-year-old. Apart from a low-dose immunosuppressant and six-monthly hospital appointments, her condition doesn’t impact on her life, and she loves her work in the film industry. But as far as fundraising was concerned, I didn’t know where to start beyond a bake sale!” 

This all changed when a friend of Sophie’s took part in the Prague half marathon and told her about the Super Half series. “It seemed like a fantastic way to consistently fundraise for an extended period of time and spread the word about CLDF and The British Liver Trust. I ran my first half marathon last year and enjoyed the idea of an ongoing physical challenge, despite having never enjoyed running before this (Ellie thinks I’m crazy) so I signed up!  

“The first of the Super Halfs took place in Lisbon with the start line on the south side of the Ponte 25 de Abril and I absolutely loved it! The energy was amazing and it was a fantastic feeling running alongside so many people raising money for charities all over Europe. It was hard but a good playlist, a bag of jelly babies, and the thought of a pastel de nata sorted me out. The next half marathon is on Sunday 4th October in Cardiff so I have plenty of time to train.  

“If I can gain entry into a half marathon every spring and autumn I should finish the challenge in autumn 2028 which, hopefully having raised £2,500 and plenty of awareness  for a cause which means so much to me and my family. We have all benefited so much from what the CLDF team had to offer us, and I would like every family in our situation to have that support.” 

You can support Sophie’s Super Half Challenge at  Sophie Browne is fundraising for British Liver Trust 

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