Unfortunately at the start of 2023 I lost my niece Ella who tragically passed away.  Ella was an amazing girl who unfortunately had to live with a condition called Ring Chromosome 20.  The main symptom of this condition is epileptic seizures.  She spent 3 months in the care of Alder Hey Hospital in 2018 having up to 80 seizures a day.  After the diagnosis she eventually left the care of Alder Hey and her journey with R20 was extremely difficult and challenging for her, her mother, my brother and the wider family.  

I spent time at Alder Hey looking after Ella and it is an amazing hospital that cares for so many sick children.  They supported us extremely well and I would like to raise some money to help families in the care of Alder Hey in the future.  Below are the words from my tribute I read at her funeral which sums up how special Ella was to me, my family, her mother's family and all of her friends. 

I am not a religious man; however, I take comfort in the thought that
your Mum Kirstie is waiting for you with open arms somewhere, and you can be reunited again. 

When I think about words to describe Ella, the same words crop up again and again.  Those two words are ‘’Resilience’ and ‘’Bravery’’.  Regardless of what you were going through, you always had a smile on your face and were fun to be around.  You would light up any room and your ‘’lack of filter’’ would brighten up most conversations.

I often remember how you would be able to enter a gift shop and have a skill of clearing them out, although I am pretty sure we said you could only buy ‘’one thing’’.

I remember you in Alder Hey Hospital. We would watch the film Jumanji on the telly together.  You would consistently rewind the funny scenes over and over again.  You would still smile after you did it the 19th time.   This must have been a common theme as I hear this also happened a lot when you spent time with Grandad Sonnie and Jackie.  

I will always remember your love of board games.  How my dad would
do the awful impressions of Noel Edmunds when playing ‘’deal or no
deal’’.  You loved the routine of the different games and you could have
played all night if we let you.  

Although your life has been short, you have experienced so much. You have also been loved by all that have met you.

My favourite moment with you was when I took you through the Baboon enclosure at Knowsley Safari Park.   Two baboons hopped onto the bonnet.  Primal urges took over and they started to do
something that they are well known for. It is not appropriate for me to mention in this setting what they were  actually doing. You found it hilarious and I was laughing so hard.  I remember trying to get my phone to record it but I was too late.  

I think people in this room will also share special memories like this
and never had chance to record them.  These are the special memories we will always remember.  I hope all of you here today can take some time to cherish and reflect on their own special memories of Ella.  Ella brought so much joy to so many that met her.   

"Memories—tender, loving, bittersweet they can never be taken from
you,

Nothing can detract from the joy and the beauty you and your loved one shared.

Your love for the person and his or her love for you cannot be altered by time or circumstance.

The memories are yours to keep.

Yesterday has ended, though you store it in the treasure house of the
past."