I am running this year in memory of a wonderful and unique little girl, Ellie Mai Mowforth, who died of a very rare and aggressive brain tumour known as diffuse pontine glioma, a couple of weeks before her seventh birthday, earlier this year.

 

Ellie was a dear friend of my youngest niece, Eliza and Ellie can only be described as such a caring, kind, brave and beautiful little girl, who never stopped smiling and never once moaned about how she felt or what she was unable to do.

 

In December last year, Ellie was one of eighty terminally ill children from the region, who went on a trip organised by the charity When You Wish Upon A Star to Lapland. Even though Ellie was very poorly and exhausted at the time, she thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the trip, making snow angels and having sleigh rides and again spent the whole time with a smile on her face.  Memories of this amazing time I know will stay with Ellie’s parents, Lisa and John forever.

 

Ellie’s parents are planning to launch the Ellie Mai Fund in the very near future to help and support other families who have children suffering with diffuse pontine glioma, but initially any money raised will go to the When You Wish Upon A Star charity to thank them for the wonderful and awesome work they do for children with terminal illnesses, hence why I have chosen to run for this amazing charity in May.

 

Ellie is an inspiration to so many people and will continue to be so through the Ellie Mai Fund, which will keep her spirit alive and remind each and every one of us, what a special little girl Ellie is and who will never be forgotten. 

 

Keep smiling Ellie, ‘cos we all love you lots.