THE family of meningitis victim Ellie Hills whose life was saved by 999 heroes have been amazed by the public’s support in their time of need.

The seven-year-old from Weymouth is taking her first steps towards recovery after being struck down by the life-threatening strain of the disease – Meningococcal Septicemia.

However, doctors fear Ellie may have been brain damaged by the infection, which left her unconscious in the week before Christmas.

Donations and messages of support have flooded in since the Echo revealed the heroic rescue operation by Portland Coastguard helicopter crew, hospital staff and volunteers to transfer Ellie from Dorchester’s Dorset County Hospital to Southampton’s paediatric intensive care unit in blizzard conditions on Monday, December 20.

Her mum Lucy Hills said: “I’ve had nothing but phone calls and lovely comments from people.

“The story made me cry, I’m really proud of it. I showed Ellie and she smiled to see her picture in the paper.

“I got home on Sunday from the hospital and a card was through my door saying ‘To Ellie, Get Well Soon from B & M’ and £20 inside. I was shocked.

“The response has been really overwhelming. Weymouth and Portland Lions Club has given us a £250 donation towards transport costs, which is really appreciated. I think we’ve gone through £600 of fuel in three weeks.”

Mum-of-four Ms Hills, of Westham, is also grateful for her family’s support, especially her mum Nichola Finney and her partner Michael Walbridge’s mum Sharon Walbridge, who have looked after her other children while she visits Ellie in hospital.

She also praised staff at St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, who gave Ellie a beautiful set of rosary beads, which she held while on a life support machine.

Ellie is now out of intensive care and in the G3 ward. She has progressed from IV antibiotics to oral antibiotics and is undergoing physiotherapy and occupational therapy to relearn the skills she has lost.

It is hoped that by the end of this week, Ellie can return to Dorset County Hospital.

Ms Hills said: “She’s really, really happy in herself but they’re not sure if it’s done damage to her brain because she doesn’t know who people are.

“She can’t talk properly, she’s lost all her social skills and just sits and stares, and she doesn’t know how to feed herself any more.”

Ellie, who has to be supervised at all times, has taken her first steps but is ‘very, very weak’ – her weight dropped from 30 kilos to 23, but is now up to 24 kilos.

Ms Hills added: “She loves going in her wheelchair; when we go up there we keep her chuckling all day.

“We try to keep her mind stimulated every day, we know it’s going to be a long road.

“We don’t know if Ellie is ever going to get any better again.

“It doesn’t bother me what problems she has.

“I’ve got my Ellie, that’s all that matters.”

THE Echo has launched an appeal to enable Ellie to enjoy the Christmas she deserves when she is well enough to return home from hospital.

If you would like to contribute in any way contact Laura Kitching on 01305 830984 or email laura.kitching@dorsetecho.co.uk