Sophia swam 5km to raise funds for her best friend

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Ten-year-old Sophia Hill from Southampton is a finalist in the Young Hero category in the BBC Radio Solent Make a Difference Awards for 2025. Sophia has completed three swimming challenges to raise money for Southampton Hospitals Charity, Diabetes UK, and most recently to raise funds to help her best friend, Lily, get an assistance dog. Lily has Wiedermann-Steiner Syndrome, an extremely rare genetic condition that only affects 2,00 people in the world. BBC Radio Solent's Megan McCubbin has been to meet Sophia and Lily. The Young Hero Award will be awarded to someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional. The Make a Difference Awards are your chance to say “Thank You” and show recognition and appreciation for people who love to make life better for others. Nominations for the 2025 awards have now closed and finalists have been selected by a panel of judges. The winners will be announced at our BBC Radio Solent Make a Difference Awards ceremony in September.