A 14-YEAR-OLD girl with Crohn's disease has handed over a gifts of toys and games for the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary - as she aims to make other children "feel a bit better over Christmas".

Ellie Pugh, from Atherleigh, who has been in and out of hospital for the past six years, decided to help the Rainbow Ward at the hospital to give a little something back to the staff and children, especially at Christmas time.

Leigh Centurions Rugby Club gave Ellie a signed t-shirt, which she auctioned for £180 to help her buy gifts for the other children on the ward.

She has also had support from her family and friends as well as other businesses, such as her mum’s Slimming World group at St Joseph’s, in Leigh and Centurion Fitness Gym; who have collected toys from their gym members instead of paying for classes.

Overall she raised £450 for the gifts.

Donna Pugh, Ellie’s mum, said: “It is so nice to see people coming together.”

Ellie’s family have also been getting involved by giving some of their own Christmas money, instead of receiving presents for themselves and her younger brother, Connor’s school, Leigh Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, raised just over £60 to also help towards buying toys and games.

Not only has Ellie been gifting toys and games to WWL, she has also given the same amount to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital as Ellie also spent time there for her on going treatment for her illness.

Anthony Pugh, Ellie’s dad, said: “It is nice to give to our local hospital. Ellie’s younger brother was also in Wigan Hospital’s Rainbow Ward when he was younger and our eldest daughter, Beth, is currently doing a pre-degree working in the Coronary Care Unit at Wigan Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, so the family is very familiar of WWL.”

Nicky Crowther, hospital play specialist on Rainbow Ward, added: “Ellie has been through a lot and for her to think about other children, even though she is ill herself is beyond amazing.”

Ellie doesn’t stop there. She has also raised £7,500 for Crohn’s and Colitis UK.

She said: “Illnesses don’t stop just because it is Christmas, so that is why I have brought in lots of toys to make the children feel a bit better over the Christmas period.”

The idea came to Ellie to help children that are in the same position as soon as she became ill, six years ago. Ellie, who recently celebrated her 14th birthday, currently cannot eat and is fed through a tube. She also decided to give her birthday presents to poorly children like her.