Ellie's Story by her Mum - Heather

In March 2007 Ellie, then aged 11, was diagnosed with a grade 4 Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumour. The Doctors expected her to survive for between 6 and 12 months. She had already had a 7 1/2 hour operation to remove the tumour, and followed it with 6 weeks of radiotherapy and 26 months of chemotherapy.
Ellie used homeopathy and reflexology throughout her treatment, both of which helped her immensely; as well as setting herself regular targets such as shopping trips and fund raising.

In 2007 – just after her diagnosis – Ellie helped to raise £4000 in one night for her and the family. It was used for a family holiday to Euro Disney and towards trips that she and I took to London – Ellie and I loved seeing musicals together – and she ‘loved’ the shops too!

In 2008 Ellie told me that she’d like to ‘give something back’. Ellie and her friends then raised over £10 000 in just 3 days; which she split between charities close to her heart; charities that had helped us as a family, and Ellie herself through her treatments.

In 2009 Ellie was diagnosed with a second tumour but continued to fight, inspiring a song that she recorded in November 2009.

In just 5 months, ‘Butterfly’s Wings’ raised over £5500 for children’s brain tumour research.
Sadly, Ellie lost her fight on Valentine’s Day 2010 aged 14, 3 years after she first became ill. Her family were with her.

During the three years that she fought her own 2 brain tumours, Eliie raised over £25,000. She inspired many people to join in. Ellie's legacy is that the money is still being raised in her memory and continuing to help others. 

The Charity - Ellie’s Fund – Brain Tumour Trust was set up after Ellie’s death and run by Heather and trustees -  Tina, Shaun and Jason, with the help of a team of dedicated volunteers. Together they have raised over £256,000.

In Spring 2017, it became time for Ellie’s mum Heather to take a well-deserved rest from Ellie’s Fund Brain Tumour Trust, but she didn’t want the great work to end there or for Ellie’s legacy to be lost. Yorkshire's Brain Tumour Charity are proud to have been chosen to take over the day-to-day running of the charity as a YBTC Fund – Ellie’s Fund.

This fund will continue to provide financial assistance to families who live in Yorkshire and who have a child going through treatment for a brain tumour. We will continue to raise awareness about brain tumours and support established research projects in Yorkshire. 

For information on the Ellie's Fund Recycling Initiative please see Ellie's Fund Recycling.