Birstall girl’s heart-warming gesture to help cancer patients

Ella Crann, of Moat Hill, Birstall, was diagnosed with stage four rhabdomyosarcoma last month, which has spread around her body.

The 16-year-old, a pupil at Bruntcliffe High School, began intensive chemotherapy and quickly found she was loosing her hair.

Inspired to help others, Ella and her auntie Emma Turnbull shaved their heads at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) on Friday, where Ella is undergoing treatment.

They donated the hair to the Little Princess Trust, which makes real hair wigs for young children who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

Ella’s 12-year-old cousin, Rachael Varley, also cut her hair in support.

Mrs Turnbull said: “We are all really proud of Ella.

“When she started her treatment she noticed her hair had started to come out.

She was really keen to donate it to charity. Ella had already been given a wig from the Little Princess Trust and she wanted to donate her hair and help someone else.”

Through sponsorship from friends and family, Ella has also raised more than £800 for the Yorkshire-based children’s charity Candlelighters.

She has been receiving treatment and undergoing tests at the LGI this week.

Mrs Turnbull said: “It has been really difficult couple of weeks. It has been hard for all of us and it came out of nowhere.

“Ella has been really positive and by doing the fundraising it has given us all something to focus on.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/ellacrann to sponsor her.