Ellie's Fund

How your donations help.

Unless otherwise stated all names here are changed to protect the identity of the families.

When we receive an application for a grant it is emailed to all the Trustees and a cheque is only sent out once the application has been agreed by all. Ellie's Fund Trustees have set certain criteria that each family must meet; unfortunately there are people in the world who make fake applications for the type of grant that Ellie's Fund provides.

Here at Ellie's Fund, as with other charities, we want to ensure that the money that you so kindly donate is looked after and that it goes to help the people that it is intended for.

So far we have supported 17 children - here are the stories - how the money has helped:

Dylane's (her real name) Mum has given me permission to tell you the following:
Dylane, aged 4, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour, a medullablastoma, in October 2010. She’s undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and operations that left her unable to walk or talk. Dylane is very determined though, and just 6 months later she was back at school with her friends, albeit with some health problems left by the tumour and treatments. Her mum wanted her to have a special 5th birthday party. Ellie’s Fund were delighted to be able to help.

Dylane’s Mum says:

'I have just received your cheque in the post and I am
overwhelmed. I can't believe the generosity of your
charity. I'm shaking with excitement about how the party can pan
out. Please pass on my thanks to the members of your charity and all
those who work tirelessly for such an amazing cause. It makes a huge
difference to people like us who are currently going through this
situation.’

Justin is 13 and has a brain tumour. Unfortunately now on palliative care; his grant is paying for him to fulfill his dream of having some flying lessons.

Justin sadly passed away in the autumn of 2011, having experienced his flying lessons.

Sophie is just 3 years old (2011). She loves playing games on a borrowed iPad. She spends a lot of time in hospital. The £500 we have sent will buy her an iPad of her own for her birthday, which will also be spent in hospital. She too has a brain tumour.

Toby's mum is a single Mum from the Borough of Scarborough. The money that we sent - £500 – paid for their dog to be kennelled so that Mum could stay in hospital in Leeds with her child. It is hoped that Toby will make a full recovery from his cancer.

His Mum text after she received the cheque to say ''Thank you so very much, you have no idea how fantastic your timing is.''

Eloise was diagnosed with a metastic atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumour when she was 14. The family were offered a short trip to a charity holiday home but, because of Eloise's illness, are struggling financially. Our grant means that they are able to have this family break - the money will be spent on fuel, food and entertainment.

22 month old MJ has a brain tumour - a pilocytic astrocytoma - diagnosed in September 2011. The parents have 3 pre-school age children. MJ's pushchair is no longer sturdy or comfortable enough for him. Mum has found a suitable one, but it is £500. We are happy to pay for this for the family.

11 year old Daisy was diagnosed with a tumour of the Pineal Gland (brain tumour), very suddenly, in September 2011 and has already had several surgeries. Her mobility is now very poor and Mum can no longer carry her up the stairs.

She is due to leave hospital shortly so Mum has organised for a stair lift. It costs £60 per month. Ellie's Fund Trustees are happy to be able to help with this essential cost.

Jack is almost 5 (2011). In July 2011 he was diagnosed with a second recurrence of a posterior fossa Grade 2 Ependymoma - a slow growing tumour, but one that causes severe problems for the sufferer. (As do all brain tumours.)

Jack's Dad applied for a grant to help the family with household chores.

Elizabeth's Dad is disabled and unable to work. His benefits do not cover the cost of petrol to the hospital, parking and food for himself and Elizabeth. Our grant means he can continue to visit and spend time with his terminally ill daughter.

Richard is an older teenager. He has had several brain and spinal tumours over the last 10 years. Now on palliative care he is limited in what he is able to do but is able to continue with his love of music. His wish is to spend some time in a music studio recording, and to buy some more equipment.

Richard's Mum sent this email:

''Thank you very much for the cheque of £500 you sent for Richard. He was absolutely thrilled to bits and is looking forward to getting into the studio and to playing his first gig - with just a bit more practice !
Your daughter's spirit lives on through these acts of kindness. Lord knows they are sorely needed in these challenging times.
Best Wishes''

We worked with fellow Yorkshire charities to help a 2 year old with a brain tumour to regain some independence:

Carol Robertson from Brain Tumour Research and Support Across Yorkshire wrote to us:

'J needs a trike to be able to play on and get around the farm where they live. Mum has seen a specialised trike costing £925 that would be ideal for J.

I wondered if Ellie's Fund and Levi's Star would consider funding this?

We will be giving a cash donation to the family but wanted to do this as part of the Center Parcs holiday break, so they don’t have to incur costs in getting to Sherwood Forest, meals, activities etc

Like so many brain tumour affected families, they are just lovely, hard working, caring people who are doing their best for their family under really difficult circumstances.'

Ellie's Fund Trustees were delighted to be able to help with this - as were Levi's Star.

Lucy is almost 18. She's had a dificult time through her brain tumour treatment (as have all of these children). With her birthday approaching Ellie's Fund offered to help her have a fabulous dress made especially for her party. Lucy is in a wheelchair and having a dress made will ensure that it fits her properly and hangs perfectly.

9 year old Daniel was diagnosed with a brain stem glioma in summer 2011. Brain stem gliomas are usually found in children between 5 and 10 years old and very challenging to treat because of their location - Daniel is now on palliative care. His grant will be used for 'treats'.

Medullablastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour found in children. Aggressive surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy can help. Matthew was diagnosed with a medullablastoma this year (2011) aged just 6. He faces the treatments mentioned above. His grant will be used for 'treats'.

Nathan was diagnosed with a stage 4 medulloblastoma just before his second birthday (2011). The grant that we sent will enable Mum and Dad to pay someone to help them around the house while they spend time as a family.

8 year old Alex is on palliative care. She was diagnosed with an Anaplastic Astrocytoma in February 2011. Her parents would like to take Alex and her brother on a family holiday to Center Parcs. Ellie's Fund and Josie's Dragonfly both sent grants to make this possible for the family.

Anaplastic Astrocytoma is categorized as a grade III brain tumor. It is a glioma that evolves from star-shaped glial cells or astrocytes that assist nerve cells. Anaplastic Astrocytoma has tentacles that attack surrounding cells.

We have also helped a family from West Yorkshire. The family home was broken into twice in the space of 2 weeks - and although nothing has been taken (the dog barked both times) the family are understandably shaken. In this case it is Dad who has the brain tumour. He is on palliative care and has 3 children. Ellie's Fund Trustees feel that this is an exceptional case - Dad has had the tumour for 17 years and is unable to work so money is tight - and agreed to help out. The family home now has a burglar alarm.