The Edinburgh Reporter July 2024

77

Honouring Sophie

Fundraiser for children’s counselling service

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

A MUM WHOSE TEENAGE DAUGHTER died
by suicide after viewing harmful content online
has raised more than £4,000 for Childline by
climbing the Pentland Skyline. 
Ruth Moss (52), is a nurse from Edinburgh,
and she raised the money for the NSPCC-run
counselling service, which supported her
daughter Sophie several times before she died.
Sophie died in 2014 aged 13 after watching
harmful content online, including material
which glorified suicide.
The teenager struggled with her mental
health and Ruth encouraged her to contact
Childline, when she was feeling very low or
suicidal, so that she could talk in confidence to
someone, who was professionally trained and
independent from family and teachers.
Despite living with the grief of losing her
daughter, Ruth is determined to bring about
something positive from her tragedy by raising
money for the free counselling service, which is
available to young people up to the age of 19, 24
hours a day, all year round.
Ruth completed the 16-mile route with a
5,577 ft climb with her husband Craig and

two friends.

She said: “It was pretty tough. The Pentlands

aren’t that high, but doing 15 hills in one go was

sore on the legs.

“But it was such a positive thing to do

in Sophie’s memory – as well as for an

amazing charity.

“We took a photo of Sophie with us all the

way. I hope we did her proud.”

In 2022/23, Childline delivered 105,

counselling sessions with children across the

UK where the child’s main concern was mental

or emotional health, suicide or self-harm. 

Ruth said: “Sophie used Childline for quite

some time and while the outcome for her was

tragic the service provided her with comfort,

and I am so grateful to them for being there

for her.”

To support Ruth there is a JustGiving page

under her name.

Young people looking for support on any of the

issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800

1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is there

for all young people up until their 19th birthday.

Call the police on 999 if you suspect someone is

in immediate danger. Childline

Ruth and Craig led the

climb with friends

Sophie who died aged 13

Meet the ghost of Alexander

Blackwood, a deaf pioneer,

and discover Edinburgh’s

hidden deaf history.

Brought to you by a deaf cast and crew,

this immersive theatre experience is

performed in British Sign Language

with creative captions. Accessible to

deaf and hearing audiences.

10-18 August 2024

Fringe Venue 489

49 Albany Street, Edinburgh

Edinburgh Deaf Festival is brought to you by Deaf Action. Registered company no. SC396876. Registered charity no. SC009898.

Book your tickets at

edinburghdeaffestival.com

UNDER 25’s

£

ADULTS

£

SIX WEEK

SUMMER PASS

Access all our Pools, Gyms, Fitness Classes and Climbing.

Available to purchase until 31st August.

edinburghleisure.co.uk

Registered Scottish Charity No: SC

T’s & C’s apply. Offer ends 31st August.