22 Kids and Counting viewers praised Sue and Noel Radford’s extended family for paying tribute to a young girl who died of cancer.
The family, from Morecambe, Lancashire, often share all aspects of their lives on their social media accounts and the Channel 5 show.
But they were recently left “heartbroken” to learn that Sophie Walker, a family friend, passed away from cancer a couple of weeks ago.
The 17-year-old was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor in 2017 after going to the doctor with a suspected stomach virus.
His show returned to air yesterday for its fifth season and at the end of the first episode, the clan, dubbed Britain’s biggest family, paid tribute to the teenager.
22 Kids and Counting returned to the air for season 5 yesterday and at the end of the first episode, the clan, dubbed Britain’s biggest family, paid tribute to Sophie Walker.
The Radford family, from Morecambe, Lancashire, often share all aspects of their lives on their social media accounts and on the Channel 5 show.
It included a photo of Sophie and read: “In loving memory of Sophie Walker 2006-2024.”
This seems to have struck a chord with Radford fans, who praised them for their “lovely” tribute to her.
One wrote: “The tribute to Sophie at the end was such a lovely gesture it made me cry.”
Another wrote: ‘Beautiful tribute at the end xx’, while a third said: ‘Love the tribute to Sophie at the end. Rest in peace sweet angel.’
A fourth commented: “How beautiful the tribute to Sophie at the end,” followed by a red heart emoji.
Sophie, from Edinburgh, died on July 6 with her family, including her twin sister Megan, at her side.
The Walker family, who are a family of 12, updated their Facebook page the following day, writing: ‘Our beautiful, smart, funny, thoughtful and brave little girl Sophie fell fast asleep last night shortly after 6:30pm with Megan lying next to her and surrounded by her entire family.
Sue and Noel Radford have been posting about Sophie’s fundraiser on their social media account, as well as trying to raise money for it themselves.
Sophie (pictured left), from Edinburgh, died on 6 July with her family, including her twin sister Megan (pictured right), at her side.
The Radford family’s tribute appeared to have struck a chord with fans, who praised them for their “lovely” tribute to her.
We love Sophie with all our hearts and our world will never be the same again; to say we are heartbroken is an understatement.
‘Please keep our broken family in your thoughts and prayers, this is a post I never thought I’d have to write.’
The Radfords later reposted this statement on their social media, saying they were “heartbroken.”
The family said: ‘I can’t even find the right words. Beautiful Sophie, our hearts are broken, you really were the most beautiful, kind, funny and brave girl. We will miss your beautiful smile and laugh so much.
“Now rest, Sophie, and take care of your wonderful, wonderful family. I will love you forever, beautiful Sophie.”
The Walker clan started a fundraiser so Sophie could receive treatment in Germany and raised more than £92,000.
She was diagnosed with Wilms tumor, a type of kidney cancer, in 2017, when she was just 10 years old.
The family said he was cured after the first treatment, but the disease returned to affect his back muscle. He was scheduled to undergo surgery, but it was cancelled in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sophie has since relapsed three times, and the family added that the NHS could not offer her “much hope” so they sought private treatment in Germany.
Sophie (pictured left with her twin sister Megan, right) was diagnosed with Wilms tumour, a type of kidney cancer, in 2017 when she was just 10 years old.
The Radford family has already undertaken a number of efforts to raise money for the treatment, starting with an urgent video appeal to their followers on social media.
The family then also decided to raise funds with a car boot sale, where 11-year-old Casper donated a beloved Baby Yoda toy to the cause.
Eventually the family came together, sporting matching bright yellow T-shirts, to run the Morecambe 5K, which they called the Radford Relay, to reach their goal.
The Walkers, who live in Edinburgh, were so moved by the family’s dedication to their daughter’s cause that they met them at the finish line.
“It’s wonderful that they did this,” Rebecca said in an episode that aired in January. “It’s really nice. We just felt like we had to come.”
Sue explained that the Walkers, who have nine children, have been incredible friends to the Radfords because they understand what it’s like to have a large family.
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