Ella Chadwick fronts national kidney charity Christmas fundraising appeal

Whitworth's Ella Chadwick is the face of a new Christmas fundraising appeal, launched by the UK’s leading kidney patient support charity, Kidney Care UK.

Ella, 12, was born with a condition called Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome, which led to her kidneys failing before she was even a year old.

By the time she had turned six, Ella had undergone countless procedures, therapies and operations including two kidney transplants. She is coping well after her second kidney transplant in 2014, which means she no longer needs gruelling dialysis to keep her kidneys functioning.

Since then, Ella has worked with a number of charities to raise awareness of organ donation, and raises money for the Royal Manchester Hospital which she still attends regularly.

In celebration of her incredible bravery and positivity, Ella won the Pride of Britain Child of Courage Award in 2018.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/123489/ella-chadwick-wins-pride-of-britain-award

Karen, Ella’s mum, said: “Ella has been through some very challenging times and it can be heartbreaking as a parent to see your child unable to live their life to the full because of kidney failure.

“There are around 1,000 children with kidney disease in the UK right now, a thousand children just like Ella who need support from charities like Kidney Care UK. When they asked if we would like to help raise awareness and raise money to help other children with kidney disease, Ella jumped at the chance.”

Robert Hope, Head of Fundraising at Kidney Care UK, added: “We understand the relentlessness of kidney disease and the often devastating impact it has on children and their families.

“Last year we spent £305,000 supporting young kidney patients and need the help of kind and generous donors to help us do more as we receive no government funding. Children like Ella deserve the chance to just be children, away from the burden of kidney disease.

“With your help we can ensure that children with kidney disease are able to thrive and live their lives to the full.”

The charity is aiming to raise at least £15,000 through the appeal.

If you would like to donate you can do so here:

• www.kidneycareuk.org/ella