Two friends who have heard all about Ellie and Ellie's Fund got together one night over a drink or two and came up with an amazing idea - 12 months of fund raising, to raise £12 000 for Ellie's Fund, ending in 2012. They aim to finish with a bang - completing the London Marathon.
Their year kicks off officially today, even though a couple of events have already started; including a sponsored week of NO TV, video games, computer etc for Sarah's son Jack, and a 24 hour fast for Louise's cousin, also called Jack.

Their fund raising page is www.charitygiving.co.uk/elliesyear

Sarah has started a blog. In this first entry she introduces the two of them...

''Louise was the first one of us to get the ball rolling. She had heard about Heather because of all the fund raising she was doing and through a friend learned about Ellie’s song which, encouraged her to find out more about Ellie.

 

Inspired by Ellie and a friend who had died from a brain tumour two years before, she wanted to do something positive to raise awareness and money so, decided to run the London Marathon in Ellie’s name ( as you do!)

 

A girlie night in at our friend’s house brought us two fitness freaks together and before I knew what was happening, Louise had my name down for the marathon and we were out training in the rain & wind – thanks, Louise.

 

Unfortunately just as we’d got up to about ten miles, Louise sustained ligament damage, tendonitis and a sprained ankle but being the trooper (stubborn sod) she is kept on running. It wasn’t until she had to stop running in agony that she finally listened to sense and agreed to rest it.

 

But, we’re not the type of women who are happy to sit around for 6 weeks & wait for Louise’s ankle to get better so we decided to bike until she was well enough to run again.

 

Not content with running the marathon, it inspired Louise to want to cycle 40miles for Ellie’s fund and I (in a moment of genius/madness) decided to make it a hundred miles. Not willing to be outdone by me, she suggested we cycle to London. As a compromise we agreed to bike across the country to Blackpool in a coast to coast cyclathon.

 

So, this is where we are now, 12 months away from the 2012 marathon and at the start of planning our cyclathon. We’d really like to thank Heather for all her support and for setting up our fundraising site.

 

St George’s Day marks the start of Ellie’s Year: a series of events and feats of athletic endurance that will hopefully see us raise our target of £12 000 by the end of our marathon.

 

This is where you come in. Please help us smash our target by: sponsoring us; getting involved in our charity events and telling everyone what we are doing and why.

 

Ellie is our inspiration. She made such a positive impact at such a young age and was determined to help others and make a difference. Help us do the same too......''

Published on Tuesday 19 April 2011 11:49

HUNDREDS of pounds have been raised by school pupils in Derby for Scarborough charity Ellie’s Fund.

The money was donated by Scarborough girl Eleanor Sharples, who studies at Repton School.

Each year the school raises funds before dividing it among charities put forward by the pupils.

Eleanor, 16, asked if part of the money could be given to Ellie’s Fund which was set up in memory of 14-year-old Ellie Othick-Bowmaker, who died last year after battling two brain tumours.

As a result the charity, which was set up to raise awareness of brain cancer, received £500 from the school.

Eleanor said: “Every year from September to December we raise a lot of money, then each pupil is given the opportunity to put forward a charity. Quite a lot goes to national charities, and charities which have directed affected “

“This year we raised £26,000 in total and I put forward Ellie’s Fund, which in the end got £500.

“Ellie was a special girl, and it is nice that I am able to represent her charity at my school all the way in Derby.”

Do you shop online?

If yes, here is a way to raise funds for Ellie’s Fund without it costing you a penny!

Give As You Live is an application that you download onto your computer – go to www.elliesfund.com/give-as-you-live . Once you have registered, you shop online as normal (no need to sign in). If your chosen retailer is registered, they will AUTOMATICALLY make a donation to the charity from your shopping. This applies to everything from your Tesco shop to West End Show tickets, hotels to Easter Eggs – and everything in between!
I shopped online last night and this morning received an email saying that I have donated £2.28.

Thanks for reading – and happy shopping

On Tuesday I attended a Lobby at The House of Commons with Diane Whorton who helps 'look after' our Youth Committee. The Lobby was intended to ask our MPs to sign the Brain Tumour Manifesto, and also the Brain Tumour Care Charter, calling for early diagnosis and treatment of symptoms.

I met some more amazing people including John (not his real name), who has lived with a tumour for 8 years. He reminded very much of Ellie as she struggled with her very worst symptoms - I don't believe that anyone outside of this house ever saw her like that - but John has to live with this 24/7. Ellie's symptoms were alleviated for a while with further surgery, though did return in the last weeks of her life.
John has had to learn to become left handed, as the feeling down the right side of his body has diminished. He uses his left hand to help his right move where he needs it to be. He walks with a slight limp as his right leg is weaker now, and has to think about how to navigate stairs, which isn't easy.
John tires very easily, and needed to rest where he could: where chairs were available.
John's speech is slow and slightly slurred, words take time to come and when they do they're often the wrong words. Frustration is there under the surface, though he laughs at himself when he realises that he's got it wrong sometimes too. It took him a long time to tell me his story - though he did eventually manage.

Nicole was misdiagnosed 7 times before finally collapsing into a fit in front of her children and being admitted to hospital that day with a tumour the size of an orange. 2 years on, Tuesday was the first time that she has travelled unaccompanied since her diagnosis. To make sure that she arrived there and back safely, Nicole had all the instructions for the day written on her hand. The last direction read - 'reverse these instructions to get home'.
She also carried instructions to passers-by in the event that she had one of her many, regular, seizures.
Her memory has been so badly affected that she has phone alarms to remind her that she must collect her children from school.
This is a link to her story - http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/health/health/3500841/Nicole-Witts-39-given-seven-incorrect-diagnoses-before-brain-tumour-discovery.html
Nicole is in the picture with me below.

The other picture is the 200 people - patients/carers/charities/scientists - who attended the Lobby.

Although our MP, Robert Goodwill, was not available, he sent me a text message to apologise and has pledged his support in whatever way he can - including running the Scarborough 10k with his wife for Ellie's Fund this September.

Nicole is determined that she will spend her time raising awareness now - ''before it comes back to get me'' (she has a 30% chance of it returning).

You can help by forwarding/sharing/copying/facebooking/Tweeting the website details into your emails to others please. We NEED to get word out, to keep shouting about what is happening to brain tumour sufferers - because one day, it could be your family.

This photo is of the Ellie's Fund Youth Committee, with me, and the Mayor of Scarborough, Cllr Hazel Lynskey and Max Payne MBE. It was taken at The Borough's Big Thank You Awards on Wednesday night. I nominated the girls for the charity fundraising category and I'm delighted that they won.They also won the Max Payne MBE annual award, voted for by a panel of 10, the decision this year was unanimous!
 
These young ladies are all Ellie's friends, and they have organised events, they have run events, tidied up after events, raised awareness, and they have helped us with research. Lots of research, finding names and addresses of lots of Doctors surgeries, clinics and hospitals throughout Yorkshire so that we can let those people know that we are here, and that we have money in the bank ready to help families who have a child going through cancer.
These young ladies, and 2 of their mums, have helped Ellie's Fund to get to where we are today. The Award was well deserved by all of them. Ellie's Fund is very proud of them all.
THANK YOU girls - and keep up the good work!  :)

Photo used by permission of Scarborough Evening News.

Do you like our new look site and logo?

We've been busy working on updating all our information too - have you looked at the events page recently? Just today I've added some exciting new events to the page.

You can now follow us on Twitter too - @elliesfundinfo.

We've now got a PO Box number as well. Don't worry, if you send anything to us we still get it just as quickly, we feel that this a bit more secure for our important post.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET THAT IT'S BRAIN TUMOUR AWARENESS MONTH.

We are hoping that this year you can get involved with our national Wear a Hat campaign. All of the 19 member charities of Brain Tumour Research are getting involved. 
Lots of lovely people supported this last year and raised a load of money and awareness.

Can you or an organisation you know get involved?

Quite simply could you rally your team at work, local schools or friends to Wear a Hat for the day and donate a pound (or more if they wish) for brain tumour research.
 
Posters available on request - please email info@elliesfund.com if you would like me to send you one.

Any money raised through this can be sent to
Ellie's Fund
PO Box 473
Scarborough
North Yorkshire
YP11 9DQ     marked 'Wear a Hat' please.

Don't forget to tell your friends!

Bye for now.

Looking forwards - I received this email:

My name is Verity. I am taking part in a 24 mile running race on 5th March and would like to do so in aid of your charity. I am originally from Scarborough, and I went to Scalby School as a child. Although I didn't know Ellie, I am obviously aware of the charity in her memory and the work being done to raise money for brain tumour research and to support families.

 The event in which I am taking part is called "Rudolph's Romp" (so called because it's supposed to take place in December, but was postponed this year because of the weather) It is not traditionally a sponsored event but it seemed a shame to put in all the effort and not raise some money from it. I have downloaded a sponsorship form from your website.

Verity has also now set up a charity giving page - if you would like to sponsor her you can do so at www.charitygiving.co.uk/veritypick

Sarah Cowen is also running for Ellie's Fund. The Jane Tomlinson 10k run is on Sunday May 15th. Her charity giving page is www.charitygiving.co.uk/sarahcowen

And lastly (that I know of, please let me know if I've missed you!) - one of our trustees, Shaun, is also running for Ellie's Fund.
Shaun is taking part in the following:
17 April 2011 - London Marathon
15 May 2011 - Jane Tomlinson Hull 10k
19 June 2011 - Jane Tomlinson Leeds 10k
31 July 2011 - Jane Tomlinson York 10k
18 September 2011 - Great North Run
9 October 2011 - McCain Yorkshire Coast 10k

Shaun's page is www.charitygiving.co.uk/shauntymon

***************************************************************************

We've also had quite a lot of events going on over the last few months (which have been very difficult months for me, around Christmas and then Ellie's first anniversary).

In December last year Hayley Cherry and her SNC Scholars netball team spent a day bag packing at M&S and raised £200, £100 of this came to Ellie's Fund - the other half went towards their new kit. Well done - and thank you, ladies!

Also at the end of last year, Scarborough Swimming club organised a sponsored swim and raised £655.25 in total. This is an amazing amount, especially as their swim was on the weekend of the first big snowfall of the winter. Thank you to everyone who turned out in spite of the weather and to:

Becky Cox who swam 192 lengths
Charlie Cowan who swam 170 lengths
Coral Foster, 150 lengths
Jack Colley, 180 lengths
Josh Hoggarth, 200 lengths
Owen Davies, 64 lengths
Robert Lee, 100 lengths
Teagan Foster, 102 lengths

In February more ideas were planned:

David Sessions from Scalby School made and sold buns to mark Ellie's anniversary and raised £305 - well done David, those cakes looked great!

Ellie's friends - our Youth Committe - also took wristbands and badges and some of our new bags into school that week and sold them - with permission from the school - at break times.

Amelia Scholey and the 2nd Scarborough Rangers held a fashion show  - they made a lot of their own costumes - for friends and family and raised £210 for Ellie's Fund. Well done girls - I'm told there were some wonderful costumes!

I'd like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved with all these events, and to those of you who are planning future events. Ellie's Fund really does appreciate all the time, effort and thought that goes into making each and every event a success. WELL DONE!!

If YOU have done an event - or are planning one and would like me to add it to our events or blog page, please email me at info@elliesfund.com and we will update this page to tell your story.

Bye for now.

Heather 

For Ellie from:
YOUR MUM, JA, PHIL, PHOEBE & SHANNON WITH ALL OUR LOVE FOREVER
Nan & Papa - our very special granddaughter with our love & pride
Auntie Moira, Uncle Dean, Piper
Auntie Sue, Uncle Glenn
Nana Sandy, Grandad Don
Helen Romans
Kathryn Firth - keep twinkling
Caroline Allenby - hope you enjoy your surprises from Phoebe
Rumours Netball team - x2
Julieann Levell & family - a special girl, touched many a heart
June Sharma & family
Edmund de Gay
Jane & Jon de Gay
Natalie
Meg
Maddy
Rebecca
Amy A
Amy S
The Pickford, Braden & Bowes families & Hayley Bird
To a very special brave young lady - eternal love from Paula, Jeremy, Lauren, Ben, Alex & BJ
Pip, Pete & Samantha Murr - to your sunshine girl with all our love
Ruth & Ken - we can't believe it's been a year since you fell asleep Ellie. We always think of you & you will always be in our hearts
The Holloway family
Tara Magpie
Jess Pacey
Hannah Pacey
Holly
Jenna
Alison Stockill
Molly
Caroline Booth
Eileen
Tracey Elliott
Yasmin S King
Di
Emily
Aimee
The Boden's
Helene
John
Lyn
Jade
Karen
Lynne
Andrew
Jo
Chris
Katelyn
Paris
Michelle
Harriet

The Holloway family - for Jeremy

Sue Pacey - for Nana & Grandad

Jess Pacey - for Aunty Maureen

For Abuela, from N, T, T & C

For Fred from Neal

Mark - for my Dad, Dave

Margaret - in remembrance of Pete Turner, my love & my life

Jarrod - for Audrey Dormer - the best mum imaginable

Mel & Shaun Tymon - for Michael Shaw

Delia Moore - for Bernard Stephenson

Sam Trotter - Albert Mann

Sam Trotter - for Sharon Smith

Hazel Lynskey - Frnak Lynskey, we will never forget you!

Christine Bernard - to absent friends & family - your love surrounds me

Helen Marriott - my Dad, always remembered

Ian Holland (Scarborough Cavaliers) - for Paul Curry & Peter Clarke

Scarborough Rotary Club - for Paul Curry

Yasmin Stefanov-King - Adam Clarke, leave them kids alone!

Yasmin - Peter Dent, the best bass player that Purple Rose ever had! Love you.

Hillary Elliott-Mullin - Mary Gott, in memory of a beautiful mum & nana

Dave Marsden - for Amanda Marsden, Craig Marsden, Tyler Marsden & Steve Marsden (4)

Annette Brayshaw - thanking for Jeffrey's recovery from leukaemia

Paula Wood - to Jez

Kirsty Howard - miss you Mum, keep an eye on Ellie, she's a star! Love always
..
Lindsey & Claire - Janet Pickup you are missed so very much by us all. Hope you are happy & well wherever you are. Your memories live on in your children and grandchildren. We are looking after them all for you!

Sue, Gerard & George Wardell - Remembered - John, Rosie & Derreck

Paul McCormick - Ellie's Team, good luck!

Paul McCormick - Heather, keep going!

Alan Wright - Heather - you are inspirational. Keep going & good luck!

Nicky & Dom Grunwell - Myrna Clark, Dominic Clark, Michelle Dalby - for you courage & long fight against cancer (2)

The Critchetts - to all the children everywhere, with love

Dr Sean Lawlor - for Mum

Sean Lawlor - Maeve, Sean-Francis & all the kids

Gary Hopkins - Jean & Ron Hopkins

Carol Towner - my mum Sheila, my number one cheerleader

David Brown - (no message)

Nikki Best - (no message)

Joyce & Keith Duckworth - Alice May Duckworth

June Sharma & family - in memory of our son Krishan James Sharma 5/2/92

Marianne Perry - Mum, miss you every day - you'd be proud of your grandchildren. Love you.

Anna Pickford - in memory of my husband

Ellyse & Sean Braden, Thomas & Abigail Bowes - in memory of our grandad

Emma Pickford, Anita Broden & Kathy Bowes - in memory of our Dad

Big hugs & cuddles to Charlie, Ellie & all our absent family & friends love from Chris, Jo, Julie & families

Fran Thompson - in loving memory of our wonderful mother Agnes Gilbert who we miss more each day & who is always in our hearts, with all our love from Fran & Pat

John Bernard - Anchalee, wish you were, with love.

Uncle Ray (Siddle) - Heather & family - be strong, be free, look forward.

Johnathan Brown - to the sales team @ Stoneacre Ford

Johnathan Brown - Heather - well done, keep growing!

Jane Wright - Well done Heather, keep going

Maureen Nutter - for Jack Nutter

John Nutter - for Belle Nutter

Mrs K Staves - to Jack Staves 1897 - 1972, in loving memory from your daughter in law

Mrs K Staves - to John Staves 1929 - 1960, in loving memory, from your wife

Shane - in loving memory of my first guide dog SAMUEL who enjoyed the beach & sea surfing on the South Bay at Scarborough. He passed away of old age 17/3/10. RIP Sam, never forgotten.

Joyce & Keith Duckworth - Dorothy Wilkinson aged 13, who died of cancer 58 years ago. A beautiful girl always smiling.

Steve, Gail & Lauren - in memory of David Ireland - loved & missed every hour of every day. Memories last a lifetime & we treasure them. Forever in our hearts Pop.

Gail, Steve & Lauren - In memory of Julie France. Your memory lives on in your girls & grandchildren & we miss your laughter & your smile. Forever in our hearts my darling sister.

Nik & becky Shaw, for Ellie

Nik & Becky Shaw, 2 for John Richardson

Nik & Becky Shaw, for Molly Adams

From Jo Purdy, for my Nana - I love you & miss you still, Jo  xxx

The balloon release went off very well - and for that i must thank Jo Purdy who sourced the balloons and helped us by inflating them all for us. And also the Harbour Bar - for allowing us to use their room upstairs to get everything ready. THANK YOU.