Our beautiful daughter, Ellen, suffered a devastating brain injury brought on by a severe asthma attack and cardiac arrest on 27th October. Despite the sustained efforts of the paramedics and hospital staff, she passed away peacefully at 2am on 31st October 2019, at just 16 years old.

The staff on Ward 12 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle treated Ellen with the utmost respect and she donated her organs to help save and improve the lives of many children and adults. Although this can be a very difficult time for many families, particularly if you lose a child, this was an easy decision for us, as Ellen always wanted to help as many people as she could in any way. Click here for more information on organ donation .

We are setting up Ellen's Gift of Hope Charity in her name to raise money to support children who face challenges in life due to health issues, special needs and disabilities. All donations given through this fundraising page will be transferred to this charity, as soon as it is set up.

Ellen had an incredible passion for space and met Canadian astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield in 2015, who inspired her to follow her dreams and become a space scientist. The fact that he sang Space Oddity on the International Space Station, also reflected her love of music and playing the guitar.

When we contacted him to thank him for inspiring Ellen, Col. Chris Hadfield sent this lovely, thoughful message:

"I am so very sorry to hear of Ellen’s death. It is beyond tragic for such a life of promise to be cut short. I can only be thankful to have met Ellen, shaken her hand, and shared in the inspiration that the exploration of ideas and the universe can bring. My deepest sympathy and thoughts to Ellen’s loving family and friends. I’ll think of her often as I raise my eyes to the stars. Chris" (Chris A. Hadfield, Colonel, Astronaut ret’d)

She loved going to Life Science Centre in Newcastle and was due to do her work experience at their new Space Zone in November 2019. Ellen was also working hard at school and looking forward to starting her Space Engineering Course at Loughborough National Space Academy in September 2020.

Although she is no longer able to fulfill her enormous potential in the field of space engineering, she will live on through her organ donations and charitable activities. You too can make a difference and help children born with medical issues and those who develop disabilities during their lives. Your donation will help support vulnerable families, caring for their precious children.

Ellen was an incredibly kind and generous person and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her, especially her twin sister and our family and friends. There are no words to describe the tragic loss of our daughter who will be in our hearts and minds forever.

Ellen, we miss you, we love you, sleep peacefully little one.