Little Ella wins her junior run battle

A schoolgirl who contracted an infection which eroded part of her skull is running the Manchester Junior Run to say thank you to the hospital that treated her.
Ella TravisElla Travis
Ella Travis

Ella Travis will be running 2.3km around Etihad Stadium on Saturday, May 21 to raise funds for Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charity.

The Hindley 10-year-old was admitted to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital last December with a sinus infection which had eroded her skull.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She spent three weeks there following her operation and now she wants to give something back.

Ella in hospitalElla in hospital
Ella in hospital

Her mum Andrea said: “Ella had a migraine and a high temperature. We were unable to wake her up and we took her to Wigan A&E where we thought she had meningitis.

“She was not responding to antibiotics and after a scan and more tests we were told she had chronic sinusitis which had eroded her skull and affected her brain.

“She was transferred to Manchester to have an operation to drain the infection from her skull and she had three weeks of intensive antibiotics.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It was a scary time for us, especially as we had never come across the illness before - it was quite rare.

Ella in hospitalElla in hospital
Ella in hospital

“Ella spent three weeks on ward 78 after her operation. She is now well on her way to a full recovery thanks to all the staff at both Wigan Infirmary and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

“After seeing all the other poorly children, she decided she wanted to give something back to the hospital and to help other sick children.

“Money raised is going to the hospital trust’s helipad appeal, which is much needed. I never thought my daughter would have to go to hospital as she was fit and healthy. It just goes to show that you never know when you will need these services.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ella, a Castle Hill St Philip School pupil, said: “I want to do the run because some of the children are really ill and some never come home.

“I do running at school in the athletics club and I have been practicing hard.”

So far Ella has raised almost £300. To sponsor Ella visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ella-Travis?

The Great Great Mini Run and Junior Run are the family-friendly version of the Great Manchester Run,

The mini course is approximately 1.5km and the junior run is 2.3km.

Entrants can chose a charity which they wish to run for.

Related topics: