Dorchester teen in health battle attends Thomas Hardye prom

Thomas Hardye School student Ellie Moore, 16, was described as an 'inspiration' after she came out of hospital to attend the year 11 prom at Kingston Maurward.

Ellie, from Dorchester, had a kidney transplant in 2022 but has spent the last four months in Southampton Children’s Hospital after the organ began to fail.

Despite her condition and thanks to the incredible support of hospital staff, Ellie was able to make it to the prom - 'and a be a normal teenager again for the evening'.

Thanks to the generosity of various people and organisations she got glammed up for her big night and realised her dream of arriving in style on a vintage tractor. 

She returned to hospital afterwards and as well as undergoing dialysis she has recently had surgery.

Ellie (right) and her friend Liv (Image: Paul Brewer)

Ellie was first diagnosed with glomerulonephritis, a type of kidney failure, in May 2021 and received a transplant a year later.

She became unwell again at the start of 2024 and doctors found her transplanted kidney was also starting to fail.

Ellie became ‘so poorly’ that she was unable to do her GCSEs or attend her last day at school.

According to mum Jody, ‘the only thing that she wanted was to celebrate with her friends at the prom after being stuck in the same four walls.’

Ellie in hospital (Image: Jody Moore)

Jody had to attend the prom 'in the background' as there wasn’t enough time to train school staff in case of a medical emergency.

Jody said: “It was really good to watch her smiling and dancing.

“She enjoyed being able to dance and chat with friends, just being a normal 16-year-old.

“It was one of those things where you had to hold your breath and we weren’t sure if it would be able to go ahead until it did.”

She explained that after Ellie revealed she wanted to go the prom her youth worker at the hospital started making some calls, turning the young girl’s dream into a reality.

Ellie and her cat (Image: Jody Moore)

Jody added: “Wave 105 Cash for Kids put money down for her prom dress and so did another anonymous donor which allowed her to get some jewellery to match with her grandma’s pearl necklace that she wore on the day.

“Ellie got her dress from Dress To Go in Southampton and they really took their time for her as she was still being tube fed at the time. She got to try on all these dresses and then she was able to strut in her enormous heels and feel like a teenager again.

“Sophie’s Legacy charity also wanted to help out as well and they arranged for Ellie to get her hair, make-up and nails done.”

Jody said a man from Litton Cheney helped Ellie's dream come true by taking her in his vintage tractor. Ellie’s grandad used to have a tractor which inspired Ellie's mode of transport to the prom. 

Ellie's ride to prom (Image: Paul Brewer)

Jody explained that it has been a hard year for the family as ‘Ellie has been stuck in hospital since February 1.

She also spent her 16th birthday in hospital.

Ellie and her sister (Image: Jody Moore)

Despite having a wonderful prom night, Jody said: “Ellie is still struggling. It’s hard, we don’t know what else we can do. She has done amazing and she’s got a great group of friends.

“Her plan is to go to sixth form and study biology, maths and either BTEC or A-level law and re-sit her GCSEs.”

Ellie with family (Image: Jody Moore)

Ellie wants to go on and work as a biomedical scientist because in her words: “They are not fixing kidneys quick enough.”

Genna Bunker, Head of Year 11 at the Thomas Hardye School said: “Ellie has battled with serious health conditions throughout her time her at the Thomas Hardye school.

“Her determination and tenacity throughout this is truly an inspiration. We are so pleased that she was able to come along to the year 11 prom and seemed to be having a marvellous time.”