A teenage girl is running the Manchester 10K Run in a show of thanks for the care she received at Stepping Hill Hospital, and in doing so has scored an amazing fundraising success.

Ella Willard,16, from Cheadle Hulme, fundraising together with her sister Ruth, hoped to raise £1000 in sponsorship for the run. They have now raised well over twice this amount and the donations are still coming.

The fundraising is in thanks for the care, treatment and support hospital staff gave Ella and her family through a frightening time. Ella has a rare complicated bowel disorder, and in August last year this took a severe turn for the worse which saw her rushed to Stepping Hill Hospital’s A&E. Ella had to undergo serious emergency surgery, followed by over two weeks on the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Ella’s surgery was successful, but she had several more weeks in hospital after this. Even when she returned home, she was still very unwell and for a long time could barely stand. She has had to take a whole year off school, and will be starting Sixth Form again in September this year. Ella’s road to recovery has been long and at times difficult, but she is now progressing well.

Both Ella and her 14 year old sister Ruth wanted to do something to show their thanks for her recovery, and decided to big run was the way to do it. Ella will be running the Manchester 10K Run. Ruth is unfortunately two months too young to join the Manchester run, so has instead set herself the task of running as far as she can over three months instead in support of her sister.

Their mum Anna said “Of course this was a very hard time for Ella, but it was a frightening and bewildering time for Ruth as well. Despite this Ruth has been beside Ella every step of the way, from talking to her and combing her hair when she was sedated in ICU, to just sitting with her and cuddling her when she was upset when she came home. Their bond is now stronger than ever. It is fantastic that they’re both taking part in this fundraiser in their own way, and I’m really proud of them both.”

Ella said “I`m not naturally athletic and am not particularly enjoying my training but I wanted to say thank you to the hospital for all the care they gave me. I am also grateful to my family for all their support as well as those who have sponsored me as it has encouraged me to keep going and persevere with the training. Finishing the 10k course will be very significant for me and I`m really excited about it.”

Ella and Ruth’s fundraising fund currently stands at over £2500. Anyone who wants to donate can still do so, the address is www.justgiving.com/fundraising/willardsistersrun

Donations will be split between Stepping Hill Hospital’s ICU, and its Treehouse children’s unit.