Edinburgh mum completes gruelling challenge in memory of her daughter

An Edinburgh mum whose teenage daughter died by suicide after viewing harmful content online has raised more than £4,000 for Childline by taking on a gruelling challenge.

Ruth Moss, 52-years-old is a nurse from Edinburgh and hiked across the Pentland Skyline to raise money for the NSPCC-run counselling service that supported Ruth's daughter Sophie several times before she died.

Sophie sadly died aged just 13-years-old in 2014. She had watched harmful content online which included material that 'glorified' suicide.

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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.”

The teen had struggled with her mental health for several years. Her mum Ruth encouraged her to contact Childline whenever she was feeling very low or suicidal so she could talk in confidence with someone, who was professionally trained and independent from her family and teachers.

Ruth is determined to bring about something positive from the tragedy of losing her daughter by raising funds for Childline. The counselling service is available free of charge to young people up to the age of 19, 24 hours a day, all year round.

The 16-mile route with a 5,577 ft climb was completed by Ruth, her husband Craig and two friends on Saturday, June 15.

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."

She added: “We took a photo of Sophie with us all the way. I hope we did her proud.”

To support Ruth visit here.

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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.

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