Sophie’s Cycle to support brave 12-year-old

A CYCLE is set to take place to raise essential funds for the family of a young girl, who recently became a quadruple amputee losing all four of her limbs after getting sepsis.

Lucan Cycling Club and Kenny’s of Lucan are organising Sophie’s Cycle, 40km and 80km road races in aid of 12-year-old Sophie Lanigan.

A few weeks ago, Sophie made her confirmation, and this was a milestone event along her road to recovery having also started getting back into a school routine.

Five months previous, the girl was fighting for her life in an intensive care unit (ICU) with her organs failing after going into septic shock.

On December 12, 2022, Laura Hughes brought her daughter Sophie to the doctor with a high temperature, and she began having breathing difficulties, so she was transported to CHI at Temple Street by ambulance.

Parents Laura and Keith Lanigan were told that their daughter may have pneumonia and with her condition rapidly deteriorating, Sophie was put on a ventilator.

Investigations showed Sophie had sepsis caused by Strep A and was transported to CHI at Crumlin to be put onto a stronger ventilator, where she spent two-weeks fighting for every breath.

At this point, Laura and Keith were told to prepare for the worst.

However, after battling, Sophie was taken off the ventilator on Christmas Day but awoke to the devastating news that the damage to her hands and legs was irreversible, and amputation was necessary.

Over the preceding months, Sophie’s battle in ICU continued as she faced infections, dialysis, and other complications before facing her surgeries, which were further ensuing challenges.

“Not all of the surgeries went to plan and Sophie had even more setbacks for the 10 more weeks she spent in hospital,” a GoFundMe set up for the family reads.

“But Sophie is the most amazing, strong, determined girl and she battled through again. She is our hero and we are all so unbelievably proud.

“Sophie and her family face a difficult path ahead adapting to this new way of life.

“They will need to make changes to their home to meet Sophie’s need, as well as prosthetics and other adaptive equipment. The cost of all this can be daunting.”

Sophie’s Cycle will take place on Saturday, July 22 at 9am and there is a €40 registration fee, with the proceeds going to her family.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis, with helmets essential and bikes need to be road worthy while under 18s need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Following the cycle, there will be a free barbecue and live music in Kenny’s of Lucan for all participants.

To donate to the GoFundMe for Sophie and her family, visit: HERE.

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