Sue Wright: A Life Dedicated to Advocacy and Child Protection
Sue Wright, who has died aged 57, transformed personal adversity into a powerful force for good, dedicating her life to raising awareness about fostering and adoption while building a distinguished career as a child protection barrister and successful businesswoman.
Early Challenges and Determination
Born in Liverpool to Ann (nee Clayton), a council worker, and John Sherman, employed in logistics, Sue experienced an unhappy upbringing that led her into foster care at age 16. When that placement proved unsuccessful, she found herself living in a Salvation Army establishment by 17, sharing accommodation with another teenager and surviving on a modest £40 weekly allowance.
From 1982 to 1984, Sue worked part-time cooking and cleaning at a Southport nursing home owned by Mrs Smythe, whose welcoming words, "There's always more room at the table," became Sue's lifelong mantra and the title of her inspirational speeches delivered to conferences and corporate audiences about the urgent need for more foster carers and adoptive parents.
Educational Journey Against All Odds
After leaving Stanley High School in Southport without qualifications, Sue was determined to become a barrister to stand up for those without a voice. She put herself through college and night school to obtain O-levels, then completed a BTec in business studies and finance while continuing to work for Mrs Smythe.
In the late 1980s, she pursued law studies at Preston Polytechnic, now the University of Central Lancashire, demonstrating remarkable perseverance in her educational journey.
Professional Success and Return to Merseyside
Moving to London in the early 1990s, Sue completed her bar exams while working at Lehman Brothers in the City, where colleagues mistakenly believed she was studying for beauty college exams. She returned to Merseyside in the late 1990s and began what would become a 16-year commitment to fostering for Liverpool City Council, caring for seven children in total.
Initially balancing full-time work as a child protection barrister with her fostering responsibilities, Sue later established the Harrogate Group in 2021, a property finance and advisory company she successfully ran while maintaining her legal practice.
Comprehensive Advocacy and Recognition
Sue built a reputation as one of northern England's leading advocates, with her commitment to helping others extending beyond human welfare to animal rescue. She actively supported several dog rescue charities, including Manchester Dogs Home, where she helped raise £2.2 million to rebuild premises destroyed in a September 2014 arson attack.
Just 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. In her final months, she campaigned vigorously for routine annual blood tests to become available on the NHS, believing earlier diagnosis through such measures could have saved her life.
Personal Life and Legacy
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 wrote this tribute.
Her life story stands as a testament to resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of dedicating oneself to helping the most vulnerable members of society.
