Kind Ellie’s sister act is in line for charity award

ABIG-HEARTED teenager who is devoted to her disabled little sister has been nominated for a charity award.

Ellie Dunwell, 13, from Littleborough, is the big sister to Megan, aged eight, who is deaf and blind and has complex needs due to a genetic condition.

She offers constant support to her mum Emma Stokes, playing with Megan, helping her to take part in lots of activities and working with her on developing her communication skills.

Ellie has now been nominated for the ‘Sibling of the Year’ honour at charity Sense’s annual awards ceremony after being shortlisted by a panel of judges who were impressed by her incredible dedication to Megan.

Emma said: “We are very proud of Ellie.

“Having Megan as a younger sister has definitely helped her grow into a really caring and helpful girl.

“Megan has very complex needs but Ellie has taken everything in her stride. She knows Megan’s routine inside out and loves spending time doing messy play and baking with her younger sister.

“Ellie has gone through so much at an early age having to care for her sister and having what she does every day recognised is overwhelming for us.”

Gillian Morbey, CEO of Sense, said: “The dedication, love and support that Ellie gives her younger sister and family is an inspiration to us all. The Sense Awards exist to celebrate the achievements of people like her and I wish Ellie all the best of luck for this year’s award ceremony.”

The Sense awards celebrate of the remarkable determination shown by people who are deafblind or have complex communication needs, as well as the dedication of the Sense staff, volunteers, fundraisers, campaigners and partners who support them to live full and active lives.

Following her nomination, Ellie will now be invited to attend the Sense Awards ceremony at the charity’s new TouchBase Pears centre in Birmingham tomorrow (Thursday). ●●Ellie Dunwell, 13, from Littleborough, has been nominated for an award by the charity sense for her dedication to her sister to Megan, aged eight, who is deaf and blind and has complex needs due to a genetic condition. She is pictured with Megan, mum Emma Stokes and Richard Dunwell