A TRUST fund set up by the family of Dr Sophie Williams to enable her to return to the home she shares with her partner has overtaken its initial target.

University lecturer Sophie fell critically ill after she was infected with a Japanese encephalitis in south-east China in July 2015, while undertaking research with students from Bangor University.

The virus paralysed Sophie, 33, who will always need 24-hour care, and the aim was to raise £60,000 to make her home, near Bangor, accessible.

Earlier this month a one-day festival, Draig Beats, organised by Sophie’s family and friends raised more than £17,000 taking the total raised since last May to more than £70,000.

Sophie’s father, Mike Williams, the owner of Castlegate News, in Malton, said the festival, which was supported by the university had been a great success with more than 800 people enjoying music, food, workshops and children’s activities.

“The main stage, a circus big top, saw a variety of acts, from drums to the cappella singing. Headline act was the band that Sophie used to play with, Drymbago, which filled the big top with crowds of

enthusiastic dancers.

“All the acts performed for free, so that all the ticket sales could go to the Sophie Williams Trust, as well as the profits from the food and workshops, so a total of more than £17,000 was raised.

“Sophie herself came to the event and was at the centre of the audience for many of the acts. Afterwards she had a message for everyone: “Thank you all for coming to Draig Beats. It was so much fun! Especially Seckou Keita, he was phenomenal!”.

“Sophie had a tremendous day and had been energised every since. She has recently started to use a foot mouse and has increasing movement in her hand which enables her to use a thumb clicker.

“She has also been able to visit her home which always cheers her up.”

Mike said that fundraising would continue towards Sophie’s care and unforeseen costs needed to develop her home. “Sophie, Robert and all the family would like to say a big thank-you to everyone involved in the festival for all their efforts and to everyone who has supported the trust. We are all extremely grateful,” he said.

Natalie Chivers, curator of Treborth Botanic Garden, said: “We were delighted to be able to host Draig Beats. Sophie has been very much a part of the garden since she was a student here and helped to arrange our first music festival in 2009, Botanical Beats. So it was very fitting that the garden should enable this fantastic event to happen, to bring together people who love Sophie and want to help her get back home to Tregarth.”