WHILE most people were devouring chocolate and a roast dinner on Easter Sunday – spare a thought for Ellie Pugh.

The eight-year-old, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, was unable to tuck into her Easter eggs this year as her digestive system was so inflamed she is currently in hospital and being fed through a tube in a bid to get her condition under control.

“Unfortunately for Ellie, she has been hospitalised for the past couple of weeks and is back on the tube so as of yet, she has been unable to have any Easter eggs,” said mum Donna.

The determined Sacred Heart Primary School pupil has refused to let her condition get her down and has raised more than £2,200 for Crohns and Colitis UK since December.

Her fundraising is getting lots of attention and she was invited to the United for Colitis charity dinner where she met Olly Murs and spoke about her experiences of living with Crohn’s.

Leigh Journal: Ellie was thrilled to have a hug and a kiss from Olly MursEllie was thrilled to have a hug and a kiss from Olly Murs

Ellie was thrilled to have a hug and a kiss from Olly Murs

Donna, from Leigh, said: “Ellie took to the stage with Crohn's and Colitis CEO David Barker, where she addressed 500 people to talk about life as a child with Crohn’s Disease. She said ‘you have to look for the positives in the hard times and know there is always a rainbow after a storm’. Many of those who attended were reduced to tears and she received a standing ovation.

“Olly Murs was definitely the highlight of her night. Not only did she get a hug and a kiss off him and his autograph, he even came up on the dance floor and danced with her – definitely a night she will never forget.”

Ellie is one of five people who have been shortlisted for a Young People’s Award at the Crohn's and Colitis 15th Anniversary Awards in June.

To find out more, visit www.facebook.com/digdeepforellie.