Community & Business
19 January, 2025
Sophie Patch's Goldfish Racing returning
The memory of Sophie, daughter of Todd and Tammy Patch, still remains strong in the community, especially on Australia Day at the Get Chopped Pub in Greenmount with the family organising the ‘Sophie Grace’s Goldfish Racing’ in memory of their beloved baby they lost in 2022.
Sophie Grace Patch was born on November 29, 2021, but sadly she never made it to her first birthday.
On November 4, 2022, Sophie succumbed to an extremely rare type of lung disease, bronchiolitis obliterans, and passed away peacefully in the company of her family, doctors and nurses that looked after her throughout her treatment at the Children’s Hospital.
“I love talking about Sophie,” Mrs Patch said.
“It has been hard and as a family we have our moments, but it is something I don’t want to sweep under the rug and forget about, and it is important that I am open about that.
“I have met many families that have either had a sad story to tell or are going through a hard time, or those that have had an incredible and happy outcome, but no matter the story it is still their story.”
Tammy said she feels there needs to be more talk around loss, so friends and family are comfortable to talk without just saying ‘Oh, I’m sorry for your loss,’ and that’s how the conversation ends.
“Those moments even though (they) were the hardest and darkest months, weeks, days and seconds of our lives are still part of their memory and life of Sophie.”
She also doesn’t want Madison, who is five-years-old, to forget her little sister Sophie and to share the memories she had with her so we can smile and laugh about those moments.
Since starting ‘Smile for Sophie’ they have raised over $45,000 for the Children’s Hospital Foundation and hope to reach a new record this year at the ‘Sophie Grace’s Goldfish Racing’ on Australia Day, Sunday 26 January 2025 which will be held at the Get Chopped Pub Greenmount.
The event opens to the public at 10am, with the first Goldfish Auction and Race starting at 11am.
Mr Patch said they really tried to make it an event for the whole family or a group of friends.
There will be a great Kids’ Corner which includes an Animal Nursery and Pony Rides, Jumping Castle, Face Painting, Lucky Dips, Games and activities for the kids to enjoy so the parents can relax and enjoy the company of friends and fast goldfish.
This year there will also be the Cash Grab which is an inflatable horizontal bungee run, which Mr Patch said should be challenging.
There is plenty to participate in with there being Best Dressed Australia Day Theme Individual, Pair and Group, a large raffle and a major raffle for a two night holiday for 2 adults and 2 children to Tangalooma Island Resort, Jackpot Cash Grab with money to be won, some incredible auction items, great food and cold drinks all day and just a fun day out for the whole family or a group of friends with all profits going to an amazing cause, the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
More information can be found on their Facebook page Smile for Sophie or 2025 Sophie Grace’s Goldfish Racing.
If you would like to support this day or want to find out how to donate, contact Todd on 0428 727 509 or Tammy on 0438 184 506.
