Town to be lit pink in memory of girl, 13

Ella McCreadie died in December 2022

Homes and businesses in a Shropshire town are to be illuminated with pink lights in memory of a 13-year-old girl who died from a brain tumour.

A fundraising group called Ella's Army was set up after the death of Ella McCreadie from Ellesmere in 2022.

It has asked people to light up their homes as part of Brain Tumour Awareness Month.

Ella's mother, Sophie Penrose, founded the group and said she had been "blown away" by the response from the community, adding the strength of support was comforting.

She said the local church would be lit up on the evening of 24 March, as well as the Red Lion pub, where all the staff plan to wear pink in support.

A number of homes will also be illuminated and Ms Penrose said her family found it "really heart-warming".

Ella died without warning on 9 December 2022 and it was only later discovered she had suffered a haemorrhage caused by an undiagnosed brain tumour.

Ms Penrose said she wanted to help raise money for research into finding more effective treatments and ultimately a cure.

Sophie Penrose (left) set up Ella's Army to support Brain Tumour Research

A number of homes in Ellesmere will be illuminated pink on Sunday

Light up the UK is an event organised by Brain Tumour Research, which Ella's Army supports.

The Ellesmere group will also be taking part in the charity's Wear a Hat Day later this month, which both of Ella's schools plan to get involved in.

"I’m very much focused on keeping Ella’s memory alive so it’s really bittersweet," said Ms Penrose.

"I wish the circumstances were different, but it’s comforting to know that we have such strength of support across our lovely local community.”