Page 8 • The HERALD • 16th July 2026 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES v Services: Handcrafted Traditional Oak Framing & Local Installation Call us today for a Free No Obligation Quote 023 8198 0182 Opening Hours Monday-Friday 9.30am to 4pm Hello@newforestoak.co.uk www.newforestoak.co.uk Garages, Porches, Canopies, Pergolas, Gazebos, Garden Structures and more…… WILLIS DECORATING & JOINERY SERVICES Est Since 1986 Interior & Exterior Painting & Decorating Wallpaper Hanging Hand-painted Kitchens & Spray Finishes Wardrobes, Bookcases, Radiator Covers Call David on 023 8084 9800 or 07946 048261 E: david.willis24@btinternet.com Uncle Takes On Sunrise To Sunset Cycle Challenge For Sophie’s Legacy On ursday 19th June, Ben and his friend Andy took on an extraordinary sunrise-to-sunset cycling challenge, visiting seven hospitals across the South in memory of Ben’s niece Sophie and to raise awareness and funds for the charity set up in her name - Sophie’s Legacy. e pair cycled between Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, Basingstoke Hospital, Salisbury Hospital, Winchester Hospital, Chichester Hospital, Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, and University Hospital Southampton, covering a signi cant distance in a single day. e challenge was organised in memory of Ben’s niece, Sophie Fairall, whose legacy continues to transform the lives of children and families facing hospital stays across the region. Sophie’s Legacy was founded following Sophie’s death in 2021, aged just 10, a er a battle with a rare form of cancer. During her treatment, Sophie experienced rst-hand the challenges faced by children and families in hospital and shared her wishes for how hospital care could be improved for others. ose wishes became Sophie’s Legacy, a charity dedicated to ensuring no family faces the challenges of a hospital stay alone. Today, the charity provides practical and emotional support to thousands of families through services including family support workers, food and snack provision, parent packs, transport assistance, pizza nights, and much more. Ben and Andy comment: “It was a brilliant day from start to finish. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, although lighter winds would’ve been nice! We were so well supported along the route by Rob, who did a sterling job all day providing anything we needed in between stops and during the stops. We met some really nice people at the hospitals as well, who also came out to provide us with refreshments - very kind of them. It was great riding together and we had some really good chats along the way. We supported each other well along the whole route. Although we got a little quiet after we left Winchester as we were starting to get tired, morale soon picked up as we approached Portsmouth and then the final leg onto Southampton. The route, whilst it is challenging, with lots of elevation, is particularly picturesque and that certainly takes your mind off the pain in the legs. It would be great to have an annual Seven for Sophie Cycle Challenge. Sophie was never far in our thoughts when riding. We spoke about Sophie several times during the ride and she is always a great source of inspiration. The charity is really driven on by her wishes and building her legacy, which Charlotte Fairall is doing unbelievably well.” For more information about Sophie’s Legacy, visit: www.sophieslegacy.org. uk Ben and Andy cycling to raise awareness and funds for Sophie’s Legacy
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTIyNzI=