Brave Ella is bright star at awards night
SHE’S the little girl with the big smile who is determined not to let her illness stop her doing the things she loves.
And Ella Chadwick’s bravery was recognised on the grandest of stages when she was named Child of Courage at the Pride of Sport awards.
The 10-year-old, who was born with a rare kidney disease and has undergone more than 40 operations, was presented with her award by McFly stars Harry Judd and Tom Fletcher at a glittering event at Grosvenor House in London’s Park Lane.
Ella’s life was transformed when her grandmother donated one of her kidneys in 2014 – and the inspirational schoolgirl, from Whitworth, near Rochdale, is determined to do all she can to thank the doctors and nurses at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital who looked after her.
The Tonnacliffe Primary pupil has vowed to complete a total of 10km in fun runs over 12 months – and has already tackled events in Newcastle and Birmingham.
Ella’s mum Karen Hughes said: “Before the transplant, doing sport just wasn’t an option. Ella didn’t have the energy. So to think she would be able to do what she’s done since is just amazing.
“The awards were absolutely brilliant. Everyone was coming up to Ella wanting to say hello – she was in her element.”
The Pride of Sport awards celebrate the unsung heroes of grassroots sport and those who have achieved extraordinary feats in the face of adversity.
Among the A-listers at the event were Olympic champions Dame Kelly Holmes, Sally Gunnell, Greg Rutherford, Amy Williams and James Cracknell, England football stars David Seaman, Sol Campbell and Jermain Defoe, five-time Paralympic champion Hannah Cockcroft, former world featherweight boxing champion Barry McGuigan and Tour de France sprint star Mark Cavendish.
The awards are backed by our sister paper the Daily Mirror, Sport England, and TSB.
Jennie Price, chief executive of Sport England, said: “We want everyone, regardless of age, background, or level of ability, to feel able to engage in sport and physical activity, and the unsung heroes honoured in these awards are the people who help make this happen across the country week in, week out.”
10-YEAR-OLD SCOOPS CHILD OF COURAGE AWARD AT PRIDE OF SPORT CEREMONY