A Brighton mum with incurable cancer is turning to tech to leave a lasting legacy for her teenage daughter and loved ones. Sophie Blake, 52, a familiar face from Sky Sports, BBC, ITV, and Eurosport, has fought stage four cancer for three years. Now, she’s focused on creating a digital memory bank to keep her story alive long after she’s gone.
From Heartbreak to Hope: Sophie’s Bold Mission
Sophie has wrestled with what she’ll leave behind for her daughter Maya, mum, nieces, and friends. “I started scribbling in notebooks, but it was tough to keep up,” she admitted. “Ideas changed, time ran out, and it was hard to piece it all together.”
Everything changed when she met fellow Brighton local Nick Annetts, who lost his mum to secondary breast cancer. Nick created formyENCORE, a new digital platform designed to capture memories, stories, and messages to share after death.
Tech to Treasure: How formyENCORE Works
- AI guides users with thoughtful questions to reflect on life’s key moments
- Leave heartfelt messages for future milestones like birthdays and weddings
- Supports charities with built-in donation options
“It feels like a weight has lifted,” Sophie said. “I want Maya to smile, remember our jokes and traditions, and feel how deeply she’s loved — even when I’m not here.”
Reliving Memories and Giving Back
Sophie has already shared beloved family tales, including her teenage crush on Miami Vice star Don Johnson — whom she later met live at the Super Bowl. Her favourite films like Bridget Jones, Paddington 2, and The Muppet Christmas Carol also feature in her digital keepsake.
She plans to continue supporting Make 2nds Count, the charity for secondary breast cancer, through donations on formyENCORE after she’s gone.
“When my mum passed, I had no truly personal keepsake. That’s why I launched formyENCORE,” said Nick. “Seeing Sophie use it so beautifully to leave behind love for her daughter has been incredibly moving.”
The platform launches first in the UK, offering a powerful new way to turn heartbreak into a lasting legacy.
