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Ambassadors

We're proud to introduce our charity ambassadors which includes leaders within the health service, food industry and media. Their passion, commitment and dedication to the charity is truly inspiring and we are privileged to welcome them as advocates and ambassadors for Sophie's vision for change. 

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Phil Shelley

Chair of the NHS Food Review 2020, Senior Operational & Policy Manager – Soft FM, National Lead for Net Zero Food

In the summer of 2021, I was privileged to meet with Sophie and Charlotte Fairall. At a time of great pain for them both, Sophie shared a number of challenges with me, describing so eloquently the lack in quality and availability of children’s & young people meal choices, as well as the lack of compassion for parents and guardians when food and drink should be supplied when appropriate.

 

In my role of Senior Operational Manager and Lead for food at NHS England, I have committed to work closely with Sophies’ Legacy, driving positive change with hospitals and linking closely with the nursing directorate to support “what does good like”. At a time when we recognise that there are significant pressures on the NHS, it is vital that we understand what is the right thing to do, and put “care” at the centre of healthcare.

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Caroline Benjamin
Director - Food Allergy Aware

Caroline Benjamin is honoured to take on the role of ambassador for Sophie’s Legacy, a charity focused on improving hospital food for children and supporting families affected by childhood cancer.

 

In her role, Caroline has introduced Charlotte, Sophie’s mother and founder of the charity, to influential figures such as Phil Shelley, members of the Hospital Caterers Association, and professionals within the hospitality sector, helping to extend the charity’s reach. She is also deeply involved in fundraising efforts, securing raffle prizes, and incorporating Sophie’s Legacy into the Wessex Branch Salon Culinaire competition, all to raise awareness and drive meaningful change.

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Nathan Askew
 
Chief Nursing, AHP and Experience Officer at Alder Hey Chair, Association of Chief Children’s Nurses (ACCN)

Although I never had the privilege of meeting Sophie I know she would have been challenged us all to do more for children and young people in hospital, and importantly their families.

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This is why I am so supportive of Sophie’s Legacy.  I am in a position where I can influence the care we deliver at Alder Hey and am proud of what we have been able to achieve.  I see each day the difference this work has made to our families.

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All parents are vital in the care we provide to children and young people; therefore, I strongly believe we should be ensuring they receive food which is not means tested or seen as charity, it should just be the level of family centred care we provide. If we look after the parents basic needs they are more able to care for their children and it helps reduce financial burden of being I hospital for families at what is already a difficult and worrying time.

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Caitlin Parsons
 
Young Persons Ambassador
Caitlin has come a long way from the shy young teenager who struggled to leave her house to now, studying full time at college. We are extremely proud of what Caitlin is achieving and glad we have been able to support her by offering volunteering opportunities. Caitlin stands for everything Sophie demonstrated - resilience, determination and kindness.  

I never met Sophie, however I know she must have been an extraordinary girl. She has inspired thousands to help “create change“ in hospitals. She did not care for the luxuries in life,  she wanted to make a difference; and she certainly has.

 

This charity is unbelievably resilient and I could not think of a better cause.

 

That’s what inspired me to volunteer. I have volunteered for over two years now, helping with a variety of different jobs . I hope to help create awareness around the problems children and parents face every-day. I know I can be a strong voice for this amazing charity and help them to the best of my ability.

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Kate Pye
 
Deputy Chief Nurse, Great Ormond Street Hospital 

I have been lucky enough to know and work with Charlotte over the last 3 years.

In my national CYP lead nurse role at NHS England, we worked closely supporting a series of  pilots across the country raising the profile of feeding resident parents and supporting Trusts in embedding this. There are now more Trusts  than we’ve ever had supporting resident parents being fed and this is down to the hard work and determination to makes things better for our families  from the team at  Sophie’s Legacy.

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In my role as Deputy Chief Nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital, I continue to work closely with our senior teams and our charity to continue to support the feeding of families whilst they are  staying with us.

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Tackling health inequalities and ensuring that our parents can stay well whilst caring for their children at such difficult and worrying times  is key. We have some way to go , but I am a huge advocate for supporting all of Sophie’s wishes and making a difference to all the  babies, children, young people and the families we care for.

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