Sue Wright, who has died aged 57, was a remarkable individual whose life was defined by resilience and a profound commitment to helping others. As a child protection barrister, successful businesswoman, and passionate advocate for fostering and adoption, she left an indelible mark on her community and beyond.
Early Life and Challenges
Born in Liverpool, Sue was the daughter of Ann Clayton, a council worker, and John Sherman, who worked in logistics. She attended Stanley High School in Southport but left without any qualifications. Her upbringing was unhappy, leading her to enter foster care at age 16. Unfortunately, this placement did not work out, and by 17, she was living in a Salvation Army-run establishment with a flatmate, surviving on a modest £40 weekly allowance.
Building a Foundation
From 1982 to 1984, Sue found part-time work cooking and cleaning at a nursing home in Southport, owned by a compassionate Mrs Smythe. It was here that Mrs Smythe welcomed her with the words, “There’s always more room at the table.” This phrase became Sue’s personal mantra and later inspired the title of a speech she delivered at conferences and corporate events to promote the need for more foster carers and adoptive parents.
Determined to become a barrister to stand up for those without a voice, Sue embarked on a journey of self-improvement. She put herself through college and night school to gain O-levels and completed a BTec in business studies and finance while continuing to work for Mrs Smythe. In the late 1980s, she pursued law at Preston Polytechnic, now known as the University of Central Lancashire.
Career and Advocacy
In the early 1990s, Sue moved to London, where she worked at Lehman Brothers in the City while completing her bar exams—her colleagues mistakenly believed she was studying for beauty college exams. She later returned to Merseyside in the late 1990s, where she fostered for Liverpool City Council for 16 years, caring for seven children in total.
Initially, she balanced this with a full-time career as a barrister specialising in child protection, earning a reputation as one of northern England’s leading advocates. In 2021, she founded the Harrogate Group, a property finance and advisory company, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit.
Extending Compassion
Sue’s desire to help others extended beyond humans to animals; she was an active supporter of several dog rescue charities, including Manchester Dogs Home. She played a key role in raising £2.2 million to rebuild its premises after a devastating arson attack in September 2014.
Only four months before her death from cancer, Sue received a special commendation for her work with children and families at the 2025 Women of the Year awards. She also campaigned vigorously for routine annual blood tests to be made available on the NHS, believing that earlier diagnosis could have saved her life.
Legacy and Survivors
Sue is survived by her partner, Faisal Arif; her daughter, Sonia, from her marriage to footballer Mark Wright, which ended in divorce; her children Ruth, Keira, Cory, and Miley; her granddaughter, Delilah; and her sister, who authored this tribute. Her life serves as a powerful testament to the impact one person can have through dedication, advocacy, and unwavering compassion.
