8-year-old girl's 369-mile surprise for best friend beating cancer stunned the world
Friendship is a powerfully endearing relationship. No matter the age, background or differences, it pushes one to go to any and every length when it comes to their buddy. An 8-year-old girl named Alice wanted to be her friend, Sophia’s pillar of support as she battled cancer, BBC News reported. The girl thought of a creative way to show her love and gesture for her friend — walking 369 miles. Equivalent to the distance from her home in Essington, Wolverhampton, to Paris, the girl embarked on the journey with the hope of arranging a special surprise for Sophia.
Alice’s friend had cancer and was getting treated for it for two years. She had to undergo chemotherapy and through it all, the 8-year-old has been a strong support for her. Despite her age, she knew how challenging the treatments and the illness itself were for her friend and wanted to get her hopes up in a powerful way. “My best friend is the most wonderful person in the world. She's always so kind and makes me laugh. I wanted to do something really special for her after everything she's been through,” she remarked. She noticed how “brave” Sophia was and decided that she deserved a reward for it.
After meticulous planning, she assured her pal that there would be a surprise waiting for her once she finished her chemotherapy. This special gift was a trip to Disneyland, a proper holiday so Sophia could unwind and have a rewarding experience. The best part was that Alice wanted to fund this trip by herself and so she embarked on the 369-mile walk and raised the money for it. Determined to make it happen, the girl set a goal for £200 ($272.99). She began on 14 April and continued her journey for over a month, until 26 May.
The task was easier said than done but Alice pulled it off in her own special way. Her mother, Claire, shared, “She would get up early and walk before school and after school and at her auntie's in Wales and she walked up The Wrekin.” Right enough, the 8-year-old kept to her word and completed the miles. She raised £1,745 ($2,381.60) in total and was able to generously fund Sophia’s trip. Her friend was boosted by the energy and love she received and even made it to a walk around the block with Alice.
Due to her determination and selflessness, Alice’s name appeared in the Rising Star category in this year's JustGiving Awards, a charity to help with fundraising. The finalist is eager to see the results, expected to be out by the end of the month. Meanwhile, Alice is already glad that she has fulfilled her part and can’t wait for the trip to become a reality. Sophia’s parents are grateful for Alice’s friendship and support and will be booking the trip as soon as the treatment ends. Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving, said, "Alice's story is truly heart-warming. Her determination to raise money for her incredibly brave best friend, Sophia, is nothing short of inspirational.”