Mum raises over £4,000 for adoption charity in memory of her son

A Staffordshire mum has raised more than £4,000 for a Shropshire-based children's charity through a series of fundraising events held in memory of her late son.

Sarah Hopes took on a trek up Snowdon and back on Saturday, August 15, completing the challenge in just over eight hours alongside family, friends and supporters.

The challenge raised a further £2,145 for Adoption Matters, taking the total Sarah has raised for the charity to £4,017.

Sarah began fundraising for Adoption Matters in memory of her son Ethan, who was born with anencephaly, a foetal developmental abnormality, in February 2016.

Ethan lived for seven hours after his birth and was surrounded by his family during that time.

Following his death, Sarah and her family raised more than £8,750 for the Donna Louise Children's Hospice, where they spent time together after Ethan died.

When the Donna Louise Trust ceased to exist as a charity, Sarah looked for another organisation to support and chose Adoption Matters after her own family went on to adopt.

Sarah said the charity's support had helped her family through the adoption process, providing education, guidance and support.

"To us, our love and loss of precious Ethan was a signpost to start our journey of adoption," she said.

"It now seems fitting, from 2025, to fundraise for Adoption Matters in his memory, as a tribute to him and in support of the charity that has done so much for our whole family."

Sarah said her family wanted to continue celebrating Ethan and create a lasting legacy in his memory.

As part of her fundraising, she organised a Christmas wreath-making event in 2025 which raised £1,030. A further £300 was donated by family in celebration of Ethan's birthday and Christmas, while £487 was raised through donations in lieu of gifts for Ethan's grandmother's 70th birthday.

Sarah has set a target of raising £1,000 between each of Ethan's birthdays.

Adoption Matters chief executive Susy White praised Sarah's fundraising efforts.

"Sarah is truly inspiring, and we are deeply touched that she has chosen to support our charity in honour of Ethan," she said.

"We hope that Ethan's Hope can continue to keep Ethan's memory alive by bringing families together, creating special moments, and providing support when it is needed most."

She added that Ethan's legacy would continue to make a difference to the lives of others through Sarah's fundraising.

Donations to Ethan's Hope can be made through Sarah's JustGiving fundraising page.