- Family friend Sophie Walker died from cancer a couple of weeks ago on 6 July
- READ MORE: Inside Noel Radford’s heartbreaking adoption story
Viewers of 22 Kids and Counting have praised Sue and Noel Radford’s large family for paying tribute to a young girl who died of cancer.
The brood, from Morecambe, Lancashire, often share every aspect of their lives on their social media accounts and the Channel 5 show.
The 17-year-old was diagnosed with Wilms tumour in 2017 after going to the doctors with a suspected stomach bug.
Their show came back on-air for season 5 yesterday and at the end of the first episode, the clan – dubbed Britain’s largest family – paid tribute to the teenager.
22 Kids and Counting came back on-air for season 5 yesterday and at the end of the first episode, the clan – dubbed Britain’s largest family – paid tribute to Sophie Walker
The Radford family, from Morecambe, Lancashire, often share every aspect of their lives on their social media accounts and the Channel 5 show
It featured a picture of Sophie along and stated ‘In Loving Memory of Sophie Walker 2006-2024’.
This seemed to have struck a chord with fans of the Radfords, 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 penned: ‘Lovely tribute at the end xx,’ while a third said: ‘Love the tribute for Sophie at the end, RIP sweet angel.’
A fourth commented: ‘So lovely, the tribute for Sophie at the end,’ followed by a red love heart emoji.
Sophie, from Edinburgh, died on 6 July with her family – including her twin sister Megan – by her side.
The Walker family, who are a family of 12, updated their Facebook page the following day and wrote: ‘Our beautiful, intelligent, funny, thoughtful and brave girl Sophie fell fast asleep last night just after 6.30pm with Megan lying by her side and surrounded by all her family.
Sue and Noel Radford have been posting about Sophie’s fundraiser on their on social media account, along with 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) – by her side
The tribute from the Radford family seemed 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 a complete understatement.
‘Please keep our broken family in your thoughts & prayers, this is a post I never ever thought I’d have to write.’
The Radfords then re-posted this statement on their social media and said 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 hearted funny and bravest girl we will miss your beautiful smile and laugh so much.
‘You rest now Sophie and take care of your beautiful amazing family. Love you forever beautiful Sophie.’
The Walker clan started a fundraiser for Sophie so that she could get treatment in Germany and raised more than £92,000.
She was diagnosed with Wilms tumour, a type of kidney cancer, in 2017, when she was just 10 years old.
The family said she was cured after her first treatment but it relapsed to her back muscle. She was then due to have surgery but it was cancelled in April 2020 because of the Covid pandemic.
Sophie relapsed three times since then, with the family adding that the NHS could not offer her ‘much hope,’ so they therefore sought private treatments in Germany.
Sophie (pictured left with 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 brood has previously undergone a series of tasks to raise money for treatment, kicking off with an urgent video appeal to their social media followers.
Next, the family also decided to bring in funds with a car boot sale, where 11-year-old Casper parted with a beloved Baby Yoda toy for the cause.
Finally, the brood came together – sporting matching bright yellow T-shirts – to run the Morecambe 5K, which they dubbed the Radford Relay to reach their target.
The Walkers, who are based in Edinburgh, were so touched by the family’s dedication to their daughter’s cause that they met them at the end of the finish line.
‘Lovely that they’ve done this,’ Rebecca said in an episode that aired in January. ‘It’s really nice. We just felt we had to come down.’
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.
