“Ellie’s got a wicked sense of humour,” says Helen. “If anyone falls over, she’ll laugh until she cries – she’s just like me.”

Helen’s granddaughter Ellie was just six months old when they discovered she had an aggressive brain tumour.

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Baby Ellie's head is bandaged after her operation

“We were told Ellie would have less than one percent chance of survival,” says Helen.

“As Grandparents, the difficult thing for us was waiting and worrying through all of Ellie’s operations. Our belief she’d pull through was the only thing that kept us going. And she did it! When you look at what she can do now, it’s wonderful.”

Ellie started school this September which is a milestone her family never expected her to reach.

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Helen Plummer with Ellie and Tom

 

There’s a risk that Ellie’s cancer may come back one day, so she’s closely monitored and has to have scans every few months. The family also now have new concerns and pressures to deal with as Ellie gets older. As well as being partially sighted and paralysed on one side of her body, the cancer has left Ellie’s brain damaged which is causing neurological issues.

““It’s been a difficult time and the care that Julia’s House has provided throughout has been incredible," says Helen. "And it’s not just Ellie their nurses and carers support – they’re a lifeline for the whole family.”

Julia’s House relies almost entirely on generous donations from the local community to fund the charity’s vital care for local families, receiving just eight per cent ongoing Government funding.

Incredibly, one in four of the very seriously ill children that Julia’s House cares for are funded by Gifts in Wills.

And every single person who chooses to leave a legacy to Julia’s House is never forgotten – their name is engraved forever on a gold, silver or copper leaf on a beautiful Memory Tree in the charity’s Wiltshire or Dorset hospices.

The Julia’s House team can help you leave a Gift in your Will for free, either in person or online. It’s easy and simple and it won’t cost you a penny today.

Find out how to leave a Gift in your Will today >>