Village fun day for young mum who’s terminally ill

A VILLAGE fun day is to be held on Sunday to raise money for the care of a terminally ill woman.

Aleka Melioti, 53, of Pages Orchard, Sonning Common, is organising “Sophie’s Special Day” for her 26-year-old daughter-in-law Sophie McGarry, who has stage 4 breast cancer.

She is being helped by neighbours and members of Sonning Common Rainbows, a girlguiding group.

The event will be held at the village hall in Wood Lane from 11am to 7pm with live music from two bands, Cracking Up and The Odd Numbers, from 3pm to 6.30pm.

There will be a range of stalls including children’s crafts, a play area, face-painting and glitter tattoos. Tea, coffee, cake and other refreshments will be provided.

Mrs Melioti is being helped by neighbours Kathy Lambert, who lives next door, and Hanna Edimoh.

Ms Lambert said: “We all sort of came up with the day together.”

She has volunteered to have her head shaved in support of Sophie.

Ms Lambert, 48, said: “The actual head shaving I’m not worried about — I’m more worried about having my photo taken.

“Even if I only raise a fiver that’s a fiver she didn’t have before.”

Ms Edimoh, who is the unit leader of the Rainbows, has asked the girls, aged five to seven, to make posters that will be hung up in the hall on the day.

The girls have also collected craft materials to run the children’s
activities.

Ms Edimoh said: “It’s a good opportunity for the unit to do something for the community. It’s a great cause and we want be involved. The values of Girlguiding are to be kind and to be helpful and this day very much aligns with that.”

Ms Edimoh, who runs the group with the help of volunteers including Mrs Lambert, said she wanted the Rainbows to learn that even a small thing can bring a smile to someone’s face and make a big difference.

Mrs Melioti, who is Greek, moved to the UK with her Scottish husband Ray McGarry in 2015.

They were living in London until they moved to Sonning Common more than a year ago.

The couple’s youngest son Alekos, 32, is married to Sophie, who has triple-negative breast cancer.

Mrs Melioti said the proceeds would go towards a mobility scooter for Sophie as well as private
treatment.

Any money that is not used will go towards the couple’s daughter Aria, who is 16 months old.

Mrs Melioti said: “We can’t sit by and do nothing. The specialists have said that if treatment is successful, she will live another six months to two years but we believe that miracles happen.

“We need them to have a comfortable and happy life for as long as Sophie is here and for her to have the best memories and moments with her family.

“Sophie used to be very energetic, very positive and full of life so I wanted to do this to raise awareness and to hold a happy event for a sad situation. I just hope a lot of people come.”

Sophie, who is originally from South Elmsall in West Yorkshire, met Alekos eight years ago while living in Leeds.

She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2020 and underwent surgery and six rounds of chemotherapy before given the “all clear”.

However, in June this year, Sophie complained of feeling unwell and was told that the cancer had returned and spread to her lungs and brain.

Following the diagnosis, the couple were married at the Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Reading in June. Sophie and Aria were christened just beforehand.

Alekos said: “There were two christenings and one wedding on the same day. It sounds like a movie. We had been engaged for a long time before and it was a way of reaffirming our love for one another.”

The couple moved to Reading to be closer to his parents but have struggled to find a permanent place to live and Alekos has stopped working as an assistant manager at the Hope and Bear pub in Reading to care for Sophie full-time.

They have now been given temporary accommodation by Reading Borough Council and put on a waiting list for permanent housing.

“Life hasn’t been fair, to say the least,” said Alekos. “We are looking forward to Sunday — it’s going to be an important day.”

Sophie added: “It’s going to be tiring but exciting.”

To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/
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