Auction raises £1k for Ella Louisa Angel Appeal

1:40pm Tuesday 10th June 2008

A CHARITY auction at the weekend in aid of the Ella Louisa Angel Appeal raised more than £1,000 to help look after sick babies.

Tracy Johnson, 27, of Pitman Avenue, Trowbridge, organised an auction and raffle at The John Bull pub in Westfield Road.

Ms Johnson is a friend of the family of baby Ella Louisa Chappell-Drury who was born by emergency caesarean on March 29.

She died four days later after suffering severe brain damage from a lack of oxygen to the brain.

Her parents Makeala Chappell, 25, and Wayne Drury, 30, have decided to raise enough money to buy a portable incubator for the private hospital ambulance that helped to keep Ella alive for a few more hours.

Ms Johnson was so moved by their plight that she decided to arrange an additional fundraising event to help out.

The mother-of-one said: "The event was fantastic and everything went according to plan.

"All the things in the auction were sold and people added extra lots on the night to help raise more money.

"The top lot was a boxing glove signed by Larry Holmes which went for £130.

"We had a disco and karaoke and a raffle and people were donating money on the night.

"I asked a friend to be the auctioneer for the night and Wayne and Makeala helped with the raffle.

"We raised about £1,420 from the auction and there's another £150 extra coming in over the next few weeks and we're going to add that to whatever we made on the night so it could top £2,000.

"There will be a special presentation on June 20 at The John Bull from 8pm.

"Everyone is invited including all the excellent and generous companies that donated gifts to be auctioned. They deserve a lot of thanks.

"I think what happened to Wayne and Makeala is so devastating but they are doing something really positive despite all the pain and I want to help in any way I can."

Ella Louisa's parents fundraising event is set to take place on August 9.

The venue for the sponsored walk will now take place in Trowbridge Park as part of the Trowbridge Town Council Beach Party on the same day.

You can donate money to the cause by visiting www.justgiving.com/ellas_angel
Alternatively drop a cheque made payable to the Ella Louise Angel Appeal, or cash, in at our offices or post it to 15 Duke Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8EF.

Sponsor forms for the appeal are also available at the office.