ELLIA COMPLETES BIG SAIL IN AID OF ROYAL MANCHESTER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Published 1:00am on 30 May 2021

Junior Member Ellia Rhodes completed a 10 hour non-stop sailing challenge on Saturday 29th May, raising nearly £2,000 for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity at Redesmere

Running alongside the regular Saturday Social Sail, hot drinks and cakes from the Social Committee also helped to help raise funds for RMCH. RS Sailing, who sponsored Ellia, were also in attendance, providing several boats for Members to try out.

The challenge would have been a gruelling test of endurance and stamina for any teenage girl, but was especially tough for Ellia, who has an often-painful growth condition called patella femoral dysfunction, which means she frequently needs crutches to walk and she can suffer acute pain in her knees. See and hear Ellia talk about the challenge, the obstacles and her commitment to RMCH during her interview with Manchester TV.

Not only is Ellia a regular patient of Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, she is also part of the hospital's Youth Forum. This means she is one of the young people who is involved in developing health services and influencing policies and procedures. The group creates a link between senior managers and the young service users of the hospital.

All the funds Ellia raises are being sent to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity who, at Ellia's request, will divide the money between the Youth Forum, the High Dependency Unit, Ward 84 (oncology and hematology) and Ward 85 (which looks after a number of young patients, including those with cardiology, cystic fibrosis, endocrinology and respiratory problems).

It was great to see so many visitors and Members down to support Ellia, both on and off the water. For further information and the opportunity to contribute to Ellia's fund raising, simply go to her Just Giving page.

Further information on the Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital Charity and the work they do is available by visiting www.rmchcharity.org.uk.