Thank you for visiting the Team Ellis fundraising page.

You lot have already raised a huge TEN THOUSAND POUNDS! That's absolutely amazing and will go a lot further than we will on the 26th, thank you all.

If you havent signed up yet then join the gang and get your name on the list...

The members of Team Ellis aim to complete two huge tasks by the end of April. Firstly the seven layabouts, bounders and wasters named above will be transformed into primed, athletic specimens capable of completing the 26.2 miles of the London Marathon course on the 26th April 2009. You can keep up to date with their transformation here http://www.teamellis2009.blogspot.com   

Secondly (and this is where you come in), they aim to raise as much money as possible in memory of their dearly missed friend Ellis Clark. This money will go to the heroic folk at CLIC Sargent and to the Ellis Harriet Clark Foundation who both make the lives of children suffering with cancer a little easier. http://www.clicsargent.com   

Ellis was first diagnosed with Osteosarcoma aged just 12 years old when cancer cells were discovered on the bone in her leg.  She courageously battled the disease for four long years undergoing Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, numerous operations and long spells in hospital. Throughout this time Ellis and her family remained firmly optimistic, positive and extremely brave. Ellis herself was an inspiration to all who met her and will always be remembered for dealing with her illness with a dignity and maturity well beyond her years. On the 5^th June last year, a month after an amazing 16th Birthday party Ellis tragically passed away at home with her family.

Whilst Ellis was ill, she and her family were given huge support by CLIC Sargent, S.C.A.T and the Teenage Cancer Trust amongst others. Thanks to these charities, their contacts and Ellis' friends, in the four years she was ill Ellis was lucky enough to meet people such as the double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes and became good friends with Fearne Cotton, she received birthday calls from Lisa Scott-Lee, featured in Closer magazine when she met Coleen Rooney, she was driven to Paris in a convoy of black cabs full of children with cancer, she went to balls and danced with the stars from Stricty and was given the VIP treatment at X-Factor. Ellis loved enjoying these treats and would say these were the important things, but the charities also made token gestures such as funding brand new children's cancer wards in the University of London College Hospital, provided support to nurses at the Middlesex Hospital where she started her treatment and offered twenty-four hour care and assistance to everyone involved.

With a little bit of effort from us and a few pounds from you, CLIC and the EHCF can keep up this amazing work bringing smiles and recovery to other children suffering with cancer.

Ellis loved supporting her sister Billie on Marathon day and although she won't be there to cheer us on this time round, we'll be thinking of her. This one's for you Kiddo.

As you are no doubt aware by now, donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. Fortunately it is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: CLIC Sargent gets your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes absolutely doubly sure that 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.