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Inverness Caley Thistle footballers to scale highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales inside 24 hours to raise money for Sophie’s Story





Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s women’s footballers will be embarking on a high-rising fundraising challenge in aid of Sophie’s Story.

Sophie’s Story was started to document the story of Sophie Mason, who was diagnosed with Batten Disease (CLN1) in November 2024 at just 17 months old.

Batten Disease is a rare neurological disorder affecting an estimated 15-30 children in the UK each year, with no known cure.

Parents Keith and Lizzie, then, intend to make as many family memories as they possibly can – with funds raised contributing to that cause, as well as any occupational therapy and physiotherapy costs. Any money raised that is not utilised will be donated to the Batten Disease Family Association (BDFA) and/or Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

A family photo shared by Sophie's Story on Facebook.
A family photo shared by Sophie's Story on Facebook.

Sophie’s aunt Karen has long been associated with Caley Thistle’s women’s team, with dad Keith occasionally helping out with coaching too, and now the players have taken it upon themselves to organise a fundraising challenge in aid of Sophie’s Story to show their support for the family.

In May, a group of current and former ICT Women’s players are taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge, scaling the highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland within a 24-hour period to raise money for the cause.

“That’s been the nice thing for Keith and Lizzie, and for us as a family, the amount of support that people are offering,” Karen explained.

“The togetherness from people has definitely been nice to see, and the girls approached me wanting to do something to help and support.

“They wanted me to know that they’ve got my back as well as my family’s, which sums up what we’re like as a team and as a club. If someone is suffering, we’re all suffering, so it’s been really touching that they have rallied around and are willing to do all this.

“I think they all appreciate how supportive my whole family have been in football. They literally all come down every Sunday to watch, so they wanted to let us know that they are all thinking about us, and they are willing to do what they can to support us as well which is really good of them.”

A GoFundMe for the 3 Peaks challenge has already raised over £1300 at the time of writing.

Players past and present from Inverness Caledonian Thistle Women are taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge in May 2025 to raise money for Sophie's Story.
Players past and present from Inverness Caledonian Thistle Women are taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge in May 2025 to raise money for Sophie's Story.

That adds to a separate series of fundraisers organised by Lisa Coli Childminders, beginning with a wild swim of Loch Ness - the equivalent of 90 lengths of a swimming pool - which had raised £865 at the time of writing.

The main GoFundMe page for Sophie’s Story has already had hundreds of donations, raising over £17,000.


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