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On Friday 16th April 2010, I will be undertaking a sponsored walk to raise funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance. The walk will commence at the Tattenhill Airfield near Burton (one of the Air Ambulance bases) and finish at Cheadle Primary School in Cheadle, Staffordshire; a distance of around 20 miles.
The walk is in memory of Ellie Lomas who sadly died suddenly in July 2009 after returning to school following a major operation several months earlier. She was a pupil at Cheadle Primary where I have been a Governor for a number of years.
Ellie was a very popular young girl and will be sadly missed as this extract form the 'Lasting Tribute' sight shows www.lastingtribute.co.uk/tribute/lomas/3114356 :
‘A beautiful girl, full of life with a lovely sense of humour’
Tributes have been paid to a seven-year-old schoolgirl who died after being taken ill at school.
Ellie Lomas had undergone a life-saving operation to release bleeding on her brain in May.
Last week she returned to her desk at Cheadle Primary School for a few hours to ease her way back ahead of returning full-time in the autumn. But on Wednesday 8 July, 2009, she took a turn for the worse and died in hospital.
Her mother Claire Bruce said: “She had been so happy and full of energy, we simply cannot believe what has happened. She was incredibly brave and never cried. There is a huge gap in our lives. We will love her always.
“We will miss her more than we can ever say. She will never be forgotten.”
Pupils at Cheadle Primary were remembering their classmate.
Headteacher Mike Prescott said: “Ellie was a beautiful girl, full of life with a lovely sense of humour. I certainly will never forget her smile, which lit up her face. We all feel lucky to have been part of her life.
“Cheadle Primary prides itself on being a team, a large family always being there for each other, and at this time we are all supporting Ellie’s family and each other throughout this difficult period in all of our lives.”Ellie underwent surgery at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in May after complaining of severe headaches in class.
Despite showing no previous signs of ill health, it transpired she was suffering from the pressure of blood on the right-hand side of her brain.
Surgeons performed a three-hour emergency operation and Ellie spent the next three-and-a-half days in intensive care. She remained on a neurology ward in Birmingham for a further seven days before and her family wept tears of joy when they were told she was well enough to go home.
Ellie was survived by her parents and two sisters, Abbie and Lilli-eve.
In addition to this walk there are a range of fund-raising activities being organised at the school on the 16th April to raise funds both for the Air Ambulance and to establish a lasting memorial to Ellie at the school.
I do hope that you can support me with this walk. Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is responsible for funding and operating three Air Ambulances serving the Midlands and Welsh border region. Flying its first mercy mission in 1991, the organisation is regarded as one of the longest established and busiest Air Ambulance operators in the UK.
It is not always fully appreciated that Midlands Air Ambulance is funded solely by the public and local businesses. They receive no government money or National Lottery funding. The generosity of the public helps to raise the £5.6 million required each year to ensure their three helicopters remain operational helping save lives across the region. Any donation you chose to make will be welcome. Below are some examples of the ongoing costs that your donation would support:
£25 One minutes worth of flying time £40 Hi-visibility coat £50 Safety boots £100 Safety hat £150 Spinal Board £200 Flight crew suit £250 Flight medical bag £600 Range of vital medical equipment
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Thank you for your support.
