Just Like Us - Ellie Does The Double! : Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:52 pm
One of Leigh Centurions- and Ryan Brierley’s- biggest fans has won two prestigious local awards in recognition of her outstanding bravery and thought for others.Ellie Pugh has captured the hearts and imagination of many people during the past year and this was recognised when she was awarded both the Charitable Act 2014 and Overall Hero at the annual Tower FM Awards which are sponsored by Tower FM with BCC Cars.
Despite battling Crohn's Disease, Ellie Pugh’s first thoughts were for fellow sufferers and her amazing fund-raising efforts via Facebook and JustGiving for Crohn’s and Colitis UK has managed to raise an incredible £3,000.
Nine-year-old Ellie, who suffers from the painful digestive illness turned her attentions to fundraising last year and organised bucket collections at local supermarkets and, with help from parents Donna and Anthony set up Facebook and Just Giving pages to help reach her reach her initial goal of £1,000.
"I was really, really shocked when I won 'Charitable Act of the Year', there were so many people there and all of them are really amazing,” Ellie said. “Then at the end they announced the 'Overall Hero' award. When they said my name I was just speechless. It was amazing, but I couldn't have done it without everyone else."
Ellie’s mum Donna said: “We are all super proud of our little princess Ellie. We want to thank so many people for sharing this journey with us. It's been up and it's been down and I honestly feel I wouldn't have been able to cope as much if it wasn't for the support we receive on the Facebook page and the friends we have made along the way. We are just so proud of her for the way she is handling everything, she has just dug deep and carried on.”
Dad Anthony said: “There are some days when she has crawled into school because she is aching and tired, but she wants to go, and even when she is feeling ill she won’t let the teachers send her home. It has knocked her confidence and she is less outgoing than she used to be, but the fact she wants to go out there and help others is inspiring.”
Leigh Centurions star Ryan Brierley is a big supporter of Ellie’s work and paid a surprise visit to her Leigh home recently to take along the Kingstone Press Championship League Leaders and Grand Final trophies which his team won in 2014.
“Ellie is an inspirational little girl and we are all extremely proud of her achievements,” Ryan said. “What she has achieved and the bravery she shows is amazing. Ellie’s first thoughts are always for other people and not for herself and everyone at Leigh Centurions are proud to have her as our No1 Fan!”
Centurions Head of Rugby Derek Beaumont took along Ellie and her family to the Awards Dinner at the Bolton Whites Hotel. “Ellie is such a special young girl and for what Derek and the Club has done for her is brilliant and with Derek taking her to the awards dinner is a testament to the man himself and such a great gesture,” Ryan added.
“I’m sure Derek will back me up in saying the gestures we do for Ellie are never for our own recognition. It’s about making people smile who are going through tough times. I could never go through the things young Ellie has had to go through, so to see her stay so strong is sensational to see. I draw my own inspiration from her and she will tell you that she needs me but she is wrong. I always need her and always will do. I feel so privileged to be part of her life and proud to call her my friend.”
