I don't want my teenage daughter to remember me suffering'

A TERMINALLY ill mum has made a heartbreaking plea to the Prime Minister to help legalise assisted dying so her teenage daughter is not forced to watch her suffer.

- Hanna Geissler

Sophie Blake, 51, has secondary breast cancer which has spread to her lungs, liver and pelvic bone.

Treatments are keeping it at bay for now but Sophie who is allergic to opioid painkillers fears she may eventually face an agonising and undignified death.

And she dreads the possibility of her 17-year-old daughter Maya being left with traumatic memories which eclipse those of happier times.

Sophie said: "Being diagnosed with a terminal disease is devastating enough, but knowing I could potentially suffer a needlessly cruel and horrific death, when millions of people worldwide have the right to choose a dignified end, is inhumane." The former TV sports presenter urged Sir Keir Starmer to keep his pre-election promise that he would ensure any legislation brought forward in Parliament gets time for a proper debate and vote.

In her plea to the PM she said: "You have the power to bring some comfort to terminal patients by removing the fear of a horrendous death and allowing us to take control at the end.

"I love my life and I don't want to die, but I also don't want to suffer when the time comes. Our antiquated laws mean that thousands of people do, year after year, also leaving a devastating impact on the loved ones left behind.

"You said you would allow a free vote so I ask you to please honour this immediately. Time is of the essence for myself and thousands of others." Sophie's initial diagnosis of stage two breast cancer came as a "complete shock" in December 2020, just before the third Covid lockdown.

A throbbing pain in her breast while running evolved into a dull ache, prompting a visit to her GP.