Ellie Mowforth's parents honoured by Westfield Primary School tribute
THE parents of a little girl who died from a rare brain tumour say they are honoured their village school is to plant a tree in her memory.
Ellie Mowforth, who died on January 20 at her family's Cottingham home, would have turned seven today – a year after doctors diagnosed her.
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Memory: Ellie Mowforth with mum Lisa and dad John, during a trip to Lapland last year.
Westfield Primary, where Ellie was a popular Year 2 pupil, has confirmed a tree will be planted in the school grounds.
Ellie's parents, John and Lisa, said it was the perfect way of remembering their "little princess".
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John said: "We are honoured the school wants to remember Ellie in this way.
"We can't thank Westfield Primary, along with the other parents, for their support. It's been brilliant."
The school and the Mail have been contacted by people keen to raise funds in Ellie's memory.
John said he and his wife would launch a charity in their daughter's memory, with proceeds going to the region's poorly children.
"We want to keep Ellie's memory alive," he said. "We are due to have a meeting on Thursday, with someone who knows about setting up a charity."
John, a labourer, said he and his wife are struggling to cope with their grief, despite the warmth shown by the people of Cottingham and further afield.
"We took ourselves off to York on Saturday to try to get away from it all," he said.
"But whatever shop we walked into, there seemed to be a reminder of Ellie.
"We saw mummy's day cards and things Ellie liked. We just had to jump back in the car and come home.
"We feel empty. It's a horrendous time. We feel as though we don't want to carry on, but of course, we have to."
The couple hope they will be able to draw strength from the determination shown by Ellie.
John said: "Ellie was so brave and melted hearts. She would not have wanted her mummy and daddy to be crying every day of the week."
John thanked the hundreds of people who attended Ellie's funeral at St Mary's Church in Cottingham last week.
He said: "It was humbling. As we travelled behind Ellie's horse-drawn carriage we saw so many shops had either closed or turned their lights off as a mark of respect, which we thought was wonderful."
Matthew Garnett, acting deputy headteacher of Westfield Primary School, said: "We will be planting a mature tree – one we hope that will bloom later in the year."
Mr Garnett said parents had been sent letters following Ellie's death and support was being offered to pupils.
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