Tributes paid to train-mad terminally-ill 7 year-old who died after dream visit to Glasgow Central Station

Tributes have been paid to seven year-old Sophia Walker who passed away as a result of a brain tumour after getting her ‘final wish’ to visit Glasgow Central station.

Sophia visited the cab of an Avanti West Coast Pendolino and a Scotrail Class 385.

Described as a ‘wee darling’ and ‘always smiling,’ Sophia died two days ago from a brain tumour after she had fought and survived a battle with leukemia.

Before she passed away, the young train enthusiast was taken on a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of Glasgow Central train station in August this year where she got to sit in the cab of two different trains, help dispatch a service and even take over the PA system.

As a result of the lockdown, the Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation, which set up the day for Sophia, had to put most of their wishes on hold but Sophia’s wish was described as ‘time sensitive.’

Speaking to the Scotsman, the charity said their whole team was ‘absolutely devastated’ by the news of the seven year old’s passing.

Angela Cook who co-runs the foundation said: "We were absolutely devastated. I heard the news and passed it on to Les and we were just so sad.

“Our hearts just broke. She was a wee darling and we’ll never forget her wee smile that’s for sure.

"A lot of the kids, you can tell they are ill but this wee one had a head full of black curls and she was just so happy but people didn’t realise just how ill the wee soul was.”

The board at Glasgow central lit up welcoming the seven year-old.

Gary Hollywood, patron for the charity and known to many as Mrs Brown from the popular Scottish comedy ‘Mrs Brown’s boys,’ tweeted that he will never forget Sophia’s ‘beautiful smile’ after meeting her on her trip to to the station.

Scotrail also tweeted: “We're so sorry to hear about the tragic passing of Sohpia.

"We were delighted to welcome her and her family to Glasgow Central, and it'll live long in the memory of everyone involved. We send our love to everyone who loved this amazing little girl.”

Speaking about Sophia’s day at the station, Ms. Cook said: "She had a great day and she was running from train to train, always smiling. She just had the best day.

"Network Rail and Scotrail were fabulous. They did everything for her. They even let her up to the call room and she got to say a few things on the Tannoy. She loved every minute of it.”

Through the dream-making foundation, Sophia was also able to visit Blair Drummond Safari Park a week after her train trip where the team there pulled out all the stops to ensure Sophia had a great day. She met monkeys, penguins and had a full lunch prepared for her.

Sophia also went on a helicopter trip, and to Disney on Ice and Marvel The Avengers at the Hydro, Glasgow.

The Les Hoey DreamMaker Foundation are hopeful that they will be able to grant more wishes for terminally-ill children like Sophia in January next year.

Ms Cook said: "Unfortunately we’ve lost three or four children during covid and it’s just so sad - we just want to get back to granting all our children’s wishes.

“Whenever we feel sad we just remember their wee smiling faces like Sophia’s running about the train station and it makes it all worthwhile.”

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