Bone marrow transplant campaigner Ella Wright’s funeral takes place in Southport

Nov 7 2009 Vicky Anderson

SCHOOLFRIENDS of transplant campaigner Ella Wright released dozens of pink balloons around her coffin at her funeral.

Mourners applauded as the balloons drifted into the air after the moving ceremony at Ainsdale Methodist church.

Eight-year-old Ella died following complications from a bone marrow transplant she underwent earlier this year.

During her short life, she was a champion of the Anthony Nolan Trust, helping to raise awareness of the bone marrow register.

Parents Sally and Damien and little brother Sam – who is also desperately in need of a transplant – led the mourners as the little girl’s pink coffin arrived at the church in a white horse-drawn carriage.

A hearse overflowing with floral tributes followed.

She was carried in to High School Musical song Breaking Free and left the church to Butterfly Fly Away, from the television show Hannah Montana.

Mourners were asked to wear pink in tribute to the little girl yesterday.

Her schoolfriends from Our Lady of Lourdes primary school sang as a choir during the emotional service.