The family of a girl who died last year have organised fundraisers for Rebecca House children’s hospice in her memory.

Sophie Moolman, who was seven at the time, died in March 2018 from acute myocarditis, inflammation of the cardiac muscle.

The campaign set up to raise money in her memory, called Sophie Rocks, is launching two fundraisers in the coming days, with the first starting on Tuesday (New Year’s Eve).

Daniel Paton, one of Sophie’s godparents, who lives Preston, Lancashire, has run the equivalent of 100 marathons during 2019 which he achieved by running at least three miles a day.

shave

Mr Paton, whose efforts have so far raised over £4,600 for Rebecca House, has also not had a shave for the whole of 2019.

Sophie’s family want people to get involved with his final run, as Mr Paton takes to the promenade on New Year’s Eve.

Her mum, Samantha Moolman, said: ’It starts at 6pm and as many people that want to can join him - walking, running, dancing, skipping - however they want to do it.

’Or they can just attend and support him along in the final run.

’He is also going to let the people decide what happens to the Forrest Gump-esh facial hair he has accumulated.’

The second event is on New Year’s Day, on what would have been Sophie’s ninth birthday.

Starting at 1pm, her family have organised fun and games in Ramsey’s Mooragh Park with registration at the rugby club.

A walk taking in laps of the park is scheduled to start at 2pm.

Participants are asked to do either one, two or three laps, in order to be a bronze, silver, or ’gold walker’.

Entry costs £5 for under 16s with all other entries £10 and includes a goody bag.

To find more information on both events, search Sophie Rocks 2020 on Facebook or email [email protected].