My brave little girl had ‘smile for everyone’ Heartbroken mum’s tribute to Ellie, six
AMUM has paid tribute to her sixyear-old ‘social butterfly’ daughter who died suddenly in her sleep.
Little Ellie Thorley, who suffered from cerebral palsy, died on December 27 at her home.
Ellie was born three months prematurely and her condition meant she had severely limited movement and was unable to speak.
She also suffered with chronic lung disease and was profoundly deaf.
Mum Charlotte Dobson said: “She was very cheeky and always had a smile for everyone, she was a social butterfly.
“Even though she couldn’t speak she still managed to communicate with so many people and had what I call a banana skin sense of humour.”
Ellie lived on Greenfield Road in Bollington with dad Chris Thorley, sister Abigail, 12, brother Dexter, four, and their dog, Nelson.
Charlotte said: “She was best friends with Nelson. He used to sit on her knee in the wheelchair and she used to laugh when we threw the ball for him.”
The playful little girl also loved watching Mr Bean on television, going to parties and flying her toy helicopter in the park.
Charlotte said: “She taught me deep compassion and to love unconditionally. She made me a better person and I have lost my purpose without her.”
The funeral was held at Macclesfield Crematorium on Monday, January 11 and Ellie’s coffin was in the shape of Mr Tumble, children’s TV star of BBC shows including ‘ Something Special’, which helps children with learning difficulties communicate.
Charlotte said: “Ellie idolised Mr Tumble. We had a tea party after the funeral with balloons at Hollins Hall as Ellie loved tea parties too.”
Bollington based marketing agency Stein IAS raised £11,000 to buy a specialised computer to help Ellie communicate, draw, play games, read books and study.
Runners from the agency also tackled the Great Manchester Run raising £1,760, with staff across four countries taking part in National Running Day raising £1,380, plus £60 from raffles.
And after the Express shared the family’s story, friends, family and even those who did not know Ellie raised £600 to purchase a special padded seat for her – a ‘P’ Pod, allowing her to sit with her family at the dinner table unaided for the first time.
Charlotte said: “I would just like to thank everyone for their input with Ellie.”