ELLESMERE has been praised for coming together and lighting up the town pink for Brain Tumour Month in memory of Ella McCreadie.

The Lakelands Academy pupil died aged 13 in December 2022 from an undiagnosed high-grade diffuse glioma brain tumour, and mum Sophie Penrose launched Ella’s Army in her memory as part of Brain Tumour Research.

Ella’s Army is already fundraising this month for the Light up the UK campaign, by putting up pink lights in their windows, ahead of Wear A Hat Day which comes at the end of March.

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Sophie, who runs a children’s party event business, said: “I’ve been completely blown away by the response to my Facebook call to join in with #LightUpTheUK in the charity’s signature colours of pink and/or yellow – although everyone has opted to go pink for Ella.

Whitchurch Herald: Sophie Penrose (left) with community fundraiser Deb GascoyneSophie Penrose (left) with community fundraiser Deb Gascoyne (Image: Sophie Penrose.)

“I know that St Mary’s Church, where we held Ella’s funeral service, will be lit up on the evening of March 24 thanks to support from ASG Audio Visual, as well as The Red Lion public house, where I’ve been informed all the staff will also be wearing pink.

“So many people have got involved already and are lighting up throughout Brain Tumour Awareness Month that Ella’s dad Alastair and I have taken to going out for a drive every few nights with Ella’s younger brothers Shay, eight, and Niall, 12, to look at the lights, which are even on the homes of complete strangers.

“The boys think it’s very exciting and it’s really heartwarming for us all.

“I’m very much focused on keeping Ella’s memory alive so it’s really bittersweet.

Whitchurch Herald: The display for Ella at Moolah in Scotland Street. The display for Ella at Moolah in Scotland Street. (Image: Moolah.)

“I wish the circumstances were different, but it’s comforting to know that we have such strength of support across our lovely community.”

Wear a Hat Day will be on Thursday, March 28, although both Ellesmere schools Ella attended will be holding their events on Tuesday, March 19 – the last day of term.

Also signed up to Wear A Hat Day is Ellesmere businesses Coco Coffee Bar, owned by Ella’s grandmother Julie Reeves and Pauline at J S Hair, who plans also to colour her hair pink for Ella.

Whitchurch Herald: One of the houses lit up in pink for Ella. One of the houses lit up in pink for Ella. (Image: Sophie Penrose.)

Meanwhile, family friend Mel Jones who works at HSBC in Oswestry will be holding a Wear A Hat Day event with colleagues, as will other local branches of HSBC, all inspired by Ella’s Army.

Sophie added: “I am so grateful and humbled to have this incredible support for Light Up The UK and for Wear A Hat Day and I’d like to encourage others to join in.

“Anyone can take part, be it with friends or family, at home, work or in school. 

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“For those who are unable to host a hat-themed event, we just ask that they put on a hat, share a photo on social media using the hashtag #WearAHatDay and make a donation to help find a cure for brain tumours.”

To donate to Ella’s Army go to https://justgiving.com/campaign/ellasarmy

For more information on Wear A Hat Day, or to register to take part, visit www.wearahatday.org