Ellie Willis, 14, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in August 2026 and is currently in her second week of radiotherapy in London.
Since being diagnosed she has undergone two brain surgeries, a biopsy and had a shunt fitted to relieve the pressure caused by fluid building in her brain.
While Ellie is undergoing treatment, accompanied by her parents, her family and strangers have banded together to raise money to help with travel costs and for any future treatments she may require.
Her aunt Beth Ann is doing a sky dive from 10,000ft on Thursday, September 24, in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria.
Beth said: “The skydive idea came from wanting to do something big and bold to try and help raise as much as possible for Ellie in a short space of time. Not only does this show how brave and incredible Ellie is, but if Ellie can go through this and be so brave, then me jumping out of a plane will be a walk in the park.
“When we first got the news, everything felt so overwhelming and out of our control, so I wanted to do something that felt like I could take action, something that would hopefully bring awareness as well as funds.
Ellie with her aunt Beth Ann, who is sky diving to raise money for her neice (Image: Beth Ann)
“It’s really just come from love for Ellie and wanting to support her and her parents in any way I can during this incredibly difficult time.”
Beth hopes to raise £3,500 for Ellie and her family to help create special experiences for Ellie, and give her time to make memories with her two younger brothers and her mum and dad.
You can donate to Beth’s fundraiser here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sky-dive-for-my-beautiful-niece-ellie
On Saturday, October 24, Ellie’s grandparents John and Val Willis will also be raising money by cycling the equivalent of the 180 miles, the distance from Ellie’s home to the hospital in London and back, on exercise bikes at a local gym.
Writing on their GoFundMe page, they said: “As grandparents your greatest wish is for your children and grandchildren is to be happy & healthy.
“On August 28th we received the news that after initial eye tests and a hospital scan to determine what was causing migraine headaches & sight issues our 14 year old granddaughter was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
“Who knew that the very same day she would be taken to John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford where she underwent an operation & procedures to find out where the tumour was & how best to treat it.
“Ellie’s parents have had to step away from work to be able to be by her side while she has been in hospital for treatment and family members have been looking after Ellie’s two younger brothers.
“This may be a lengthy road to recovery and there may be further treatments along the way. Ellie and her family will need all the support we can give her.”
You can donate to John and Val’s GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hope-for-ellie-aag48
Ellie with her parents, Katie and Jonathan, and her two younger brothers (Image: Emma Francome)
A raffle is also being arranged with prizes and vouchers gifted by local Swindon shops, including Little Grazey café, the Bread Shed, Route 8 Barbers and others.
And a stranger is set to climb Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales, with no prior training on October 4 and plans to donate all the of money raised to Ellie and her family.
Jason Smith said on his GoFundMe page: “I am going to attempt to go from the comfort of my sofa!! To the top of Pen y Fan mountain in Wales. With that being said, if I am to to attempt this, I would like to do it for a good cause.
“I came across a story of a lovely young girl and her family who have been dealing with some challenging news on their daughter Ellie’s health. I would like to do what I can and raise as much as I can for a family and girl who really do need a bit of help to help make the most precious memories!”
He added: “Just for info I do not know Ellie or her family and have never met them. But if I can do anything I can to help someone out and complete this challenge. then anybody can do anything for a stranger who’s in need.
“And in this day and age we live in at the moment. That’s rare! So please make this trek for me as easy as it can be and get me a grand total I can happily pass on to another person who needs it more than we do… thank you.”
You can support Jason’s ‘sofa to summit challenge’ here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sofa-to-summit-challenge