Darlington girl, 5, died from rare brain tumour

Sophie Welburn’s family were rocked in July 2021 when their daughter, then aged four, was diagnosed with a tumour in her brain stem called a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Such tumours are inoperable and terminal, and she was given a life expectancy of around nine months.  

The Darlington family have described how their worlds collapsed in an instant as Sophie’s incredibly bright future was cruelly turned into an unimaginably bleak one. 

After the diagnosis Sophie made regular visitors to the Great Northern Children’s Hospital at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, underwent a biopsy operation, a six-week course of daily radiotherapy under general anaesthetic, numerous scans and courses of steroids.  

But there was nothing more that could be done, and Sophie peacefully passed away on March 18.  

Sophie Welburn was "full of mischief and adventure", her family said

“She took everything in her stride, thanks to her amazing attitude and bravery and she was helped hugely by the hospital teams making such an effort to make her care as much fun as possible,” Sophie’s father Chris said.  

“She was absolutely incredible. We were in awe of how she just got on with things.” 

After 11 years together, the couple married at Darlington Hippodrome last November following an agreement to tie the knot after Sophie’s diagnosis in hospital, and to ensure their beloved daughter could be a bridesmaid.  

And the family returned to the venue earlier this week to attend Sophie’s celebration service. Chris added: “The Hippodrome staff have been absolutely brilliant and because it was on stage, I could play videos and show pictures. I said in my eulogy that this place is becoming like our church. 

“It was a beautiful, lovely send off and celebration of Sophie.” 

Five-year-old Sophie attended the Outdoor Pre-school, in Darlington, before her diagnosis last Summer. Yet she continued her studies despite the setback and began her primary school studies at Abbey Primary in the Autumn.  

“We didn’t know whether to send her to primary school, but we did and we’re so glad because the staff have been brilliant,” added Chris. “She kept going, and she made a great impression with the kids and staff. She never lost her humour throughout it all.” 

Sophie couldn’t talk, walk, or swallow in her final days but her family are relieved she passed peacefully.  

Sophie continued to attend school despite her diagnosis last Summer

The family travelled the country and abroad, visiting theme parks and zoos to create everlasting memories with their daughter in the months after her diagnosis.

Now, having shielded Sophie from her diagnosis, Chris and mother Louise want to raise awareness of the rare condition after suffering their own heartbreak. They are also keen to raise awareness of charities such as Children’s Cancer North, for which their wedding guests raised over £2,000 with a further £1,000 raised at her celebration of life.

“Throughout all of this, we’ve said it could be worse,” added Chris. “We’re lucky to be able to do what she wanted to do in her final months. If this happened to a family with different circumstances, or during Covid lockdowns, it could have been much more difficult."

The family say they will never lose their sheer pride of their “little hero” who continued to amaze them despite her illness.  

Sophie and sister Niamh at their parents wedding in November

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