Legacy of Sophie Taylor continues to grow with £40k donation

Brave Sophie Taylor was just five years old when she died from a rare form of bone cancer.

Throughout her fight with the condition, Sophie captured the imagination by defiantly sticking her tongue out to cancer and struck up a close bond with then Norwich City midfielder James Maddison, who was touched by her story.

Ever since her death on January 19, 2019, her parents and two siblings, Connor and Evie, have fought to keep her memory alive and ensure she left a lasting legacy.

The family has set up a charitable fund in her memory - Sophie's Sparkle - and have devoted themselves to supporting others who find themselves in the same situation they did.

And they are hoping their latest gesture will help one day discover a cure for the very cancer that claimed the life of their beloved daughter.

The Taylors have put £40,000 from a golf day organised by England international Maddison towards a breakthrough research project at the University of East Anglia for a drug that halts the spread of bone cancer.

The drug has been pioneered by Darrell Green, who provided care for Sophie and has been nicknamed Bensofib  - but requires further testing before it can be used on patients.

Mr Taylor, 36, said: "We are determined to make sure no family has to go through what we did.

"This research brings hope to countless children and families affected by this disease - every pound we raise gets us one step closer to beating this disease."

The breakthrough last year was heralded as "the most important discovery in 50 years" - but requires an extra £2.3m to advance to a clinical drug trial.

Donations can be made at norfolkfoundation.com/sophie