Family speaks to help other girls

The family of a 19-year-old Shropshire woman who died following a lengthy battle with anorexia today spoke of their love for her and said they hoped speaking about her death would help prevent other tragedies.

Sophie Mazurek, pictured, from Upper Snead Farm, near Bishop's Castle, died just before Christmas at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital. Her family said she had struggled with the condition for more than two years.

Today her stepfather Lloyd Jones said it was a devastating time for her family but they hoped her story would help other young girls.

He said: "We have decided to talk about the loss of Sophie because we hope that it will help other girls, or other families, who find themselves in the same unfortunate position that we found ourselves in.

"Sophie was a loving and bright girl who was very cheerful and full of life before her illness. She was a ray of sunshine to all those who knew her but sadly she became unwell about a year after she left school."

Mr Jones said Sophie was a former pupil of Bishop's Castle Community College and at the age of 17 went to continue her studies at Walford College, after taking a year out.

On an internet blog, Sophie said she was studying for a hairdressing NVQ Level 1 qualification and she hoped to go on to do Level 2 and 3 courses, followed by a beauty course.

Her blog also included poems she had written and photographs of her enjoying nights out with her friends.

She wanted to travel to different countries and use her hairdressing skills there, before returning to the UK to work for a salon company.

However, she became unwell and developed anorexia, which led to long spells in hospital.

Mr Jones said Sophie spent 15 months in a specialist hospital where experts trained in treating eating disorders did everything that they could to help.

She was discharged from hospital in May and Mr Jones said the family hoped she would continue to lead a normal life.

But Sophie became unwell again and despite further help from experts she could not overcome the condition.

Mr Jones said: "It is a tragic loss and we are utterly bereft that Sophie is no longer with us. Sophie died from heart failure due to malnutrition, which was caused by the anorexia."

Poem written by Sophie:

Who Am I?

You're not to go and leave me,

I'll lie awake and watch,

The shadows on the wall freeze numb,

The cold Linger in my heart follow on.

Who Am I?

I never thought I could get this low,

Lwer, till I'm none,

I never thought I could feel this cold,

Knowing you never try,

But who am I really?