CrossFit Stokesley WOD For Sophie: Memories in the Making

Sophie Williams, 35, is a loving mum, partner, daughter and friend. She is a passionate primary school teacher, which is a testament to how incredibly kind and caring she is in both her personal and professional life. Her partner Andrew and two beautiful children George (3) and Charlotte (1) are the centre of her world, and we’d love to ensure they can create some special memories together as a family.

All we want is for Sophie to have the space to make these memories, without having to worry about the how, just the when!

SOPHIE’S STORY

In January of this year, Sophie realised she was experiencing lots of weird and wonderful symptoms; nystagmus (wobbly eyes), a limp with left sided weakness, lightheadedness and being very off balance when walking. The left side of her face became unequal (dropped) and she got some unusual feelings there. Sophie had quickly lost a lot of weight but had put a lot down to exhaustion, breastfeeding and having two young children.

After not being able to pinpoint the cause of these symptoms and seeing many professionals, Sophie went to A&E and 7 hours later, she was given the devastating news of being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The brain tumour is an IDH mutant ASTROCYTOMA Grade 2 which is in the wrong part of her brain. It’s in the cerebellum and her brain stem. Sophie was told by her neurosurgeon at James Cook that they were unable to operate (too dangerous in his opinion due to the positioning). She also has had several second opinions who agree that surgery isn’t a viable option.

Sophie’s neurosurgeon and oncologist have used the words life debilitating and how it will eventually end her life. This is a terminal condition. She was told this type of tumour will always turn into cancer (which it is showing activity at the moment) but no one can say an accurate time frame on prognosis. Could be months could be years. But it’ll always be there and any oncology treatment will just be to slow the growth. Sophie is currently undergoing chemotherapy, with the hope of slowing any growth or activity.

She is so incredibly positive and is focused solely on having fun with Andrew, George and Charlotte. Making as many memories as possible whilst she still can, Sophie spends her Monday - Thursday resting (her amazing parents are very involved in helping with the day-to-day) so she can spend her Friday and Saturdays with her young family.

CrossFit Stokesley have set up this JustGiving page to raise funds to help Sophie and her family make the memories they deserve.

On Sunday 29th December 2024, CrossFit Stokesley will be hosting a fundraising workout at the gym on Terry Dicken Industrial Estate, where all money raised will go to Sophie’s family.

If you’d like to join members in taking part in the fundraiser, please donate £10pp to enter and contact Emma Holmes on: +447852996768. You can enter in teams of any size.

THE WORKOUT

The WOD for Sophie workout consists of splitting 10 miles and 150 burpee pull-ups (or burpees) in a team of any size. With a running clock, as fast as possible ‘for time’, complete a 10 mile run and 150 burpee pull-ups (or burpees). Partition the run and burpee pull-ups/burpees between team as needed. For example: 10 people each doing 1 mile and 15 burpees.

Arrive at 9.30am on Sunday 29th December for a 10am start.

Otherwise, please come along and support in what will be a lovely day (fuelled by cake!), or donate what you can for this very special cause.