Cancer girl Ella set to meet hero Mickey Mouse

May 9 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

A YOUNG cancer sufferer has been given the go-ahead by doctors to fly to the USA to meet Mickey Mouse.

Ella Morran, aged four, who has acute lymphocytic leukaemia, a type of blood cancer, has dreamed of visiting Disneyworld in Florida to meet her cartoon hero.

But doctors last year advised her against making the long journey from her home in Waldridge, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

Now she has been given the all-clear, a fundraising campaign is in full swing to allow Ella’s parents Hayley and Robbie and a specialist nurse to travel with Ella, their only child, to Florida next April.

Teenage neighbours Fae Penny, 16, and Paige Henaghan, 15, have already raised funds with a sponsored fun run with Hayley across nearby Waldridge Fell, and community leader Brenda Wright has arranged an auction and race night in the village community centre tomorrow evening.

Hayley, of Poplar Street, Waldridge, said: “People in the village have been so supportive. It is heart-warming. Ella has set her heart on seeing Mickey Mouse and that is what we are trying to do.”

Brenda, recently-retired secretary of Waldridge Village Hall and a neighbour of Ella’s, said: “People in Waldridge are rallying around to help because the cost for the family to travel to Florida is greater than for most people because Ella needs a specialist nurse to accompany her. We are holding a race night tomorrow between 7-11pm to raise money and there will also be a raffle.

“Kevin Ball, the Sunderland coach, has offered as a prize a trip to the Academy of Light, which is a marvellous gesture.

“Already we have raised £1,400 towards the trip through various sponsored events, while a local pub, The Charlaw, gave a very generous donation. We are hoping for a marvellous turn-out on Saturday night because the community has taken Ella to its heart.

“Her family had hoped to take her to Florida this year but the doctors advised against it, even though they are pleased with her progress.

“They said they didn’t want her to take a long-haul flight for a year, so they are now planning to go next April.”

Ella’s family are being helped by Christian Lewis Trust Children’s Cancer Charity, which creates Florida holidays for children with cancer and their families.

Anyone wishing to give items to auction can ring Mrs Wright on (0191) 388-5240.

Ella has set her heart on seeing Mickey Mouse and that is what we are trying to do