A GRIEVING mother is taking part in a Stevenage midnight walk for charity in memory of her four-year-old daughter who died in December. Hayley and Kos Costa s seemingly healthy daughter, Sophie, had a stroke in October and was diagnosed at Great Ormond St

A GRIEVING mother is taking part in a Stevenage midnight walk for charity in memory of her four-year-old daughter who died in December.

Hayley and Kos Costa's seemingly healthy daughter, Sophie, had a stroke in October and was diagnosed at Great Ormond Street Hospital with malignant Rhabdoid tumours - a very rare childhood cancer - causing tumours in her lungs, liver, kidneys, heart and brain.

She died at Keech Hospice Care on December 13.

Mrs Costa, joined by a team of her friends, is preparing to take part in Keech Hospice Care's 10-mile Midnight Walk in Stevenage on Saturday, June 5.

"I've started to get myself together now and want to do something for this special place where Sophie spent her last days with us," said Mrs Costa.

She added: "Sophie was a completely healthy and happy little girl until the day of her stroke.

"We couldn't have known she was ill."

At the time of her stroke, Sophie had only had cancer a few weeks.

"The tumours were so fast growing," Mrs Costa explained. "My little girl deteriorated very quickly and soon she couldn't talk or move that well.

"If I'm truthful, I was dreading taking Sophie to Keech. I was in a panic as she was so ill and not really able to move anymore. I had no idea what to expect.

"As soon as we walked through the door we knew it was the right place for Sophie to be. They were so helpful, so lovely, and we were made to feel so comfortable.

"Sophie hadn't been comfortable and pain free for such a long time, but within two days the team at Keech had stopped her pain and enabled her to relax."

The all-women Midnight Walk will start and finish at North Hertfordshire College.

Entry is �15 and all participants will receive a t-shirt, goody bag and medal.

Mrs Costa, from Welwyn Garden City, has raised more than �1,000 for Keech so far.

She said: "My friends have been fantastic all the way through Sophie's illness and I am so proud we're doing it together.

"We've even got someone coming all the way from New Zealand to take part in the walk with us!"

To sponsor Mrs Costa, visit www.justgiving.com/Hayley-Costa

To sign up to the event, call 01582 707966 or visit www.keech.org.uk/midnightwalk