Young Arsenal fan in film with his heroes

27 November 2009

Ellis with Arsenal and England star Theo Walcott

BRAVE Ellis Broome from Upminster stars alongside his Arsenal football heroes in a fundraising film for Great Ormond Street Hospital - a cause close to his heart.

The video sees football-mad patient Ellis, seven, and four other children join forces with players Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Andrey Arshavin and Bacary Sagna - all dressed as furry animals - as they embark upon the streets of London to raise cash.

The sketch, called Fundraising Day, may be light-hearted but it belies a series message - to raise much-need funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSH), the Gunners' charity of the season.

All the players will donate a day's wages to the charity on Sunday (November 29) at their Premier League match against Chelsea Football Club, where the film will be also be screened.

Ellis is a Junior Gunner and last year won a Junior Gunner Bravery Award.

His proud mum Sara, 48, from Kings Gardens, said: "The two great things in his life are Arsenal and Great Ormond Street.

"He's a natural on-screen - what you see is what you get - he's just happy to be alive and his enjoyment of life is huge!"

When he was just one day old, Ellis was brought to Great Ormond Street Hospital with renal vein thrombosis - a blood clot affecting his kidneys - and almost immediately had an operation to begin dialysis.

The desperately sick youngster also had very serious cardiac complications.

Ellis' parents had been told he probably would never be able to walk or talk, but against all the odds in September 2006, aged four, the fearless toddler started at Engayne Primary School, in Severn Drive, Upminster.

Arsenal are encouraging supporters to give what they can through the Be a Gooner. Be a Giver campaign which has a £500,000 fundraising target over the 2009/10 season.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, who stars in the film, said: "I visited Great Ormond Street Hospital back in August so I know what this means to the charity and the patients.

"I encourage all supporters to follow our lead and give what they can. This advert is a bit of fun for the players and we hope supporters enjoy it, but there is a very real message in it about helping this hospital and we hope to raise lots of money for this worthwhile cause."

For more information on the campaign or to watch the film and donate, visit: www.beagoonerbeagiver.org