ONE hundred ballerinas from a dance school in Hilperton performed in dance shows to raise £400 for a children's hospice that looks after their friend.
Four-year-old Ellie Humphries, who receives care from Julia's House, has been attending NJDance's dance classes since she was two.
The little ballerinas took part in three Covid-safe dances to raise the funds in their first performance to parents and carers since the pandemic began.
Ellie, from Bromham, was diagnosed with a large brain tumour when she was six months old. She is currently stable but the tumour has left her paralysed on one side of her body so Julia's House nurses continue to provide Ellie's family with respite care.
Despite being unable to walk or use her right arm, Ellie joins in with her dancing buddies and twirls in her wheelchair with mum Jenna at the dance classes.
NJDance owner and instructor, Natasha Jones, said: “We’ve been able to adapt her class so she can take part.
"We really wanted to help raise awareness and support for the local charity that cares for Ellie and her family. Her mum Jenna said that without Julia’s House, they wouldn’t have made it through the pandemic.”
Mum Jenna said: “Ellie shouldn’t really be here – she was given just one per cent chance of survival – so to see her enjoying dance classes like I did when I was a little girl is really special.
“She really enjoys being around the other children at Miss Natasha’s class and they’re so lovely. They bring her wands, wings and tiaras to wear, which Ellie loves.
"She has use of her left side, so she can move her arm with the music and practise her good toes and naughty toes.”
Julia’s House cares for families of life-limited and life-threatened children in the local community. Each year, the charity needs to raise £1.5million to fund its services across Wiltshire.
Julia's House fundraising officer Claudia Hickin said, “Ellie is an incredible little girl with the best laugh in the world.
"We’re so grateful to Miss Natasha and all the talented dancers and families at NJDance for their support for Julia’s House.
"Our lifeline of care for families like Ellie’s is only possible thanks to the generosity of local individuals, community groups and businesses – so every donation really does make a difference.”
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