Prize winner’s ‘selfless’ gift to her best friend (From The Northern Echo)

Prize winner’s ‘selfless’ gift to her best friend

7:33am Saturday 6th December 2008 in

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A TEENAGER brought her mum to tears when she donated competition winnings to her disabled friend.

Sophie Walker was last night being pampered and preened at a mobile beauty salon after her best friend, Bethany Turnbull, gave her the prize as her 13th birthday present.

Bethany, from Brougham Street, in Darlington, was awarded the prize after her mother, Susan Thomas, entered her in Alpha Radio’s search for the town’s most deserving teenager.

The judges selected Longfield School pupil Bethany because the 13-year-old has endured a tough year after the death of both of her grandfathers within months of each other.

But instead of claiming the prize for herself, Bethany’s first thought was to give it to her best friend.

Bethany said: “I just thought because it was her birthday, not mine, she should have it.”

The girls were last night enjoying the prize together at Sophie’s birthday party.

Joy Walker, Sophie’s mother, from Stockley Crescent, in Darlington, praised Bethany for her selfless act.

She said: “It’s absolutely great, she’s a little gem.

“Sophie was so excited because it was like a little Barbie house in the salon – it was beautiful.”

Ms Thomas said she was proud but not surprised by her daughter’s decision.

She said: “She’s had a tough time this year. She lost both grandads within months of each other.

“She helps her nan a lot with her shopping and housework and because of that doesn’t really get much of a social life.

“I just wanted her to be able to act her age for a few hours, but then she gave it to Sophie.

“I was over the moon, in tears.

“She has always been like this.

It wasn’t a surprise to me when she handed over the prize, that’s why I entered her in the competition.”

The prize, worth £200, was donated by Kerry Lewis, of mylittle beauty.co.uk, a mobile salon housed in a classic American Airstream caravan.

Mrs Lewis said: “When I spoke to Bethany’s mum I was in tears.

I thought it was so sweet. She is only 13 and you don’t often hear of teenagers doing things like this.”