At 12-years-old Sophie Foxley, of Bicton Heath, in Shrewsbury, has already gone through much more than many children her age.
At eight-years-old she was diagnosed with leukaemia and while undergoing treatment the youngster’s immune system was so weak that Sophie spent much of her time indoors to reduce her risk of catching an infection.
But determined to keep in touch with her friends, Sophie turned to an online blog which she kept updated for people to follow her progress.
The diary was broadcast around the globe and visited by more than 60,000 people a week in 2006.
Earlier this month, following a lengthy battle Sophie, her parents Jane and Phil and her siblings, Tom and Jenny received the fantastic news that Sophie is now free of the disease.
Mrs Foxley told the Chronicle her daughter, who attends The Priory School, is looking towards the future and has aspirations to become an actress in a television drama.
She said: “Sophie is part of the Stage 2 Performing Arts Academy and they’ve just done a Christmas show. I think she’d like to be in something like Casualty and she says she’s going to go to university and do performing arts.
“Sophie’s always enjoyed her singing since I can remember and when she was ill she used to make up songs. I would like to thank the public for all the support they’ve given to us. Everybody’s supported the blog, it’s been a hell of a journey really but I think the support of all these people has been a really good help. People are still sending us Christmas cards four-and-a-half years later. We are very grateful.”
Mrs Foxley added that the blog had been a big help for the whole family, but Sophie was now trying to ‘move on’.
“At the time every little bit helped,” she said.
“People kept in touch with Sophie especially through the blog.
“But since she’s gone to secondary school Sophie has tried to move on a little bit because for everything she’s been through she doesn’t want to be reminded. She was quite young and it was very scary for her at the time.
“Sophie is starting to do things again and this year she’s a lot happier at school and a lot more settled.”
The family are now gearing up for a ‘nice little Christmas’ and are looking forward to the new year.
By Charlotte Hester