A FOUR-year-old tot given less than three months to live after being diagnosed with a brain tumour has fulfilled her dream of going to Disneyland.
Little Ellese Mulligan-Green has just spent four magical days in Euro Disney with her mum Joanne, 40, dad Phillip, 37, and little brother Joshua, two.
The family dined with some of the world’s best-loved cartoon characters including Tigger, Pooh, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck.
Ellese, who started at St Mary’s RC Primary School, Oswaldtwistle, in September, was diagnosed in June with a high grade glioma – the medical name for a deadly brain tumour – and her health has quickly declined ever since.
On hearing of her condition the Observer got in touch with Accrington Rotary Club’s We Will Fix It panel, which looks to help seriously ill people, or those with disabilities, achieve their dreams.
It arranged the Euro Disney trip and, following a period of it being touch and go whether she would be well enough to fly, doctors gave her the green light to travel last Friday.
Talking just after they landed back home on Tuesday, Joanne, said: "It was absolutely magical, everything we would have chosen for her and more.
"The special character breakfast we had was fantastic and because our hotel was at the gates of the park we saw many of the characters every morning.
"Ellese and Joshua were absolutely thrilled to be there. Everything about the place is so special. At random intervals during the day they have a machine blowing out snow and, with the Christmas decorations already up, it felt extra magical."
The family was picked up for the airport in a pink limousine to celebrate Joanne turning 40.
Friends of the couple had also packed the car with presents and balloons for the children.
On their way home the family had to fly to Dublin and transfer to Manchester after their original flight was cancelled.
Joanne said: "I just can’t thank everyone enough for what they have done for Ellese. The trip was what dreams are made off and we couldn’t have made it so special without the help of Rotary and the Observer."
Ellese is now about to embark on her last session of chemotherapy – the final treatment available to her in the UK.
Her parents are hoping to look into alternative therapy in Italy, which they hope may help prolong the time she has left.
Ellese was asked to switch on the Accrington town centre Christmas lights yesterday (Thursday) but because she has picked up a nasty cough she was not well enough to do so.
Many fund-raising events are being held for her including a fashion show at Poplar WMC which was taking place last night.
A pool tournament, auction and raffle at the Bay Horse, Baxenden, raised £1,200 and a non-uniform day at St Mary’s RC Primary School, Clayton-le-Moors, raised £152.
