Bereaved military child from Northamptonshire runs towards her Olympic dream

A bereaved military child from Northamptonshire is running towards her Olympic dream. 16-year-old Sofia Chacksfield from Weldon, was just three when her dad, SSgt Christopher Chacksfield, died from head injuries sustained in an unprovoked attack.

She is currently ranked the UK number one in the 400 metres and was second in the 300m at the UK under-17s National Indoor Athletics Championships.Additionally, she currently runs for Rugby and Northampton AC. One day, she hopes to represent UK athletics in the Olympic games – a goal she’s well on her way to achieving.

Sofia trains at least three times a week to ensure she stays on top form and regularly takes part in athletics competitions all around the country. Sofia said: “I do feel proud of myself, and it’s nice to see all the effort I'm putting in paying off. It’s a lot to fit in but I'm used to it now. I want to train as much as I can so I can compete in the Olympics one day.”

In addition to benefiting from the Scotty Allowance and a wide range of support from Scotty’s, Sofia has attended Scotty events, where she has met other young people bereaved of a military parent and been on respite breaks provided by the charity. For both Sofia and her mum, the main benefit of Scotty’s Little Soldiers is being able to meet other bereaved military children who understand what they’ve been through and remind them they’re not alone.

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