‘Amazing’ Birstall teenager dies aged 17

Ella Crann, of Sycamore Way in Birstall, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday evening.

The Bruntcliffe School student had been receiving treatment after being diagnosed with stage four rhabdomyosarcoma, which had spread around her body, early last year.

Ella’s mum Diane Crann said: “She’s never ceased to amaze me throughout her treatment. She’s kept going and stayed focused and taken control of everything, right to the end.”

Auntie Emma Turnbull also said she had remained positive following her diagnosis.

After undergoing intensive chemotherapy last year, Ella and Emma did a charity headshave and had donated hair to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for young children who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

Ella said her goodbyes to friends over the weekend. She had also planned her own funeral.

Diane said: “She was amazing, it’s just incredible. I’m so, so proud. For such a young lady to be able to take that on herself and plan everything. She was wonderful.”

Among the close family she leaves are mum Diane, brother Harry, her auntie Emma and grandmother Anne.