A BUDDING film maker from Stratford College is officially making a difference.
Sophie Hedley-Goggin, who studies digital media production, has been nominated for a prestigious BBC award after creating a film exploring the realities of living with epilepsy.
The 17 year-old, from Harvington, is in the running for the BBC Make A Difference Award for her short film entitled ‘Friends’.
She made the film to mark the 10th anniversary of living with epilepsy after being diagnosed at just six years-old.
She has also raised over £2,000 for the charity Young Epilepsy.
Sophie said: “I wanted to raise awareness. Epilepsy is one of those invisible disabilities that there is still so much that isn’t known about. How it affects mental health, friendships, it so often is trivialised. I wanted to make people listen and also raise money for the cause.
“I have always loved being creative, telling stories, being around cameras. So, I created this in my own time, used my own budget, filmed in my village.”
The film, which can be seen on YouTube, and her subsequent charity work, secured her nomination for the BBC Make A Difference Award – an award which celebrates people in the community who improve the lives of others.
With 500 people initially nominated for the range of awards up and down the country, she is one of only 32 people in the final, with only four other people in her category.
Sophie is incredibly honoured to be nominated.
She added: “It’s amazing. I was gobsmacked. Stunned. It has given me so much more confidence and hope for the future. It’s so nice to be seen, to be recognised.
“I wanted to raise more money for Young Epilepsy (for which I am now a young ambassador) as well for Caring Hands, a charity who help those in poverty for whom I volunteer once a week, so my next film will help me achieve that.”
The winners for the BBC Make A Difference Award will be announced on September 25.
