19 September 2023 , 17:49
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The heartbroken family of a 23-year-old woman who passed away suddenly "without warning or reason" have paid tribute to the “incredibly passionate” nursery teacher.
Ellie Kempley, from Harrogate, was enjoying a normal Friday evening with her family when her brother, James, had what he called “a funny feeling” and went to check on her. Tragically Ellie was unresponsive and she died with no symptoms or warning signs whatsoever, her family said. The nursery teacher was mid-way through an AMI Montessori 3-6 Diploma and her friends and family, along with her boyfriend, are setting up a scholarship in her memory.
Ellie Kempley passed away in September 2022 after enjoying a typical Friday evening with her family (YorkshireLive/MEN)A postmortem revealed that Ellie died from SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome). The family were left shocked, angry and heartbroken by Ellie's sudden passing, Yorkshire Live reports. Now, one year on from Ellie's death, the family, along with Ellie's boyfriend Ryan and her friends are determined to commemorate her by establishing a scholarship in her memory at the Maria Montessori Institute, for aspiring teachers just like Ellie. Ellie's brother, Ben Kempley, has set up a crowdfunding page in memory of his "beautiful sister" with hopes to fullfill her dreams on her behalf.
Ryan is taking on Run For All's Yorkshire Marathon to help raise money (YorkshireLive/MEN)Ben said: "When Ellie passed away, she was mid-way through an AMI Montessori 3-6 Diploma. Ellie hugely enjoyed her first year of study and was destined to be a wonderful teacher. She was incredibly passionate about children, had graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in Childhood Studies, and had worked part-time at Rigg Farm Montessori Nursery. The Ellie Kempley Scholarship intends to cover the full tuition of a student, or students, through the course that Ellie was unable to finish. It was always her dream to educate, inspire, and care for young people. By sponsoring teachers in her honour, we can do just that."
Ellie's boyfriend of two years, Ryan Bowness, said: "I was so lucky to have had Ellie in my life and she will always be a part of it. Ellie had the most beautiful smile, she lit up every room she walked in and I’ll never forget her. As well as our future together being bright she had a bright future being a teacher, I know she would of made a huge impact on so many children, so be able to continue making that dream become a reality is a blessing. It's been really difficult and it's still difficult, I'm still really close to Ellie's family, when you go through something like this it brings you together.
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“We were close anyway and now we're even closer, I still see them all the time. I will always be family with them. Ellie loved children, it was all she ever wanted to do even from a young age. We had spoken about having children of our own in the future. It feels good to be able to do something it her memory, all Ellie wanted was to be a nursery teacher and so by doing this we're still kind of granting her wishes. Ellie didn't get the chance to live out her dream, but hopefully by doing this, other people can in her name."
Ellie Kempley with boyfriend Ryan (YorkshireLive/MEN)Ben, Ryan and 31 other members of Ellie's family and friends are taking on Run For All's Yorkshire Marathon, next month in their first fundraising event of the year. The aim is to raise £16,000 in order to put their plans of establishing 'The Ellie Kempley Scholarship' in motion. Ben paid tribute to his sister, he said: "It feels entirely wrong to commemorate Ellie and, to be honest, I feel as though I’m yet to truly come to terms with what has happened.
"When I think of her, I’m at first overwhelmed with happy memories. Her infectious giggle, beaming smile, and loving hugs. Her infinite selflessness, thoughtfulness, and kindness. Her messy room, her hot temper, her incredible sense of humour, and her beat-up blue Mini. Always with a glass of rosé in hand, ready for trash TV with the family or late nights out with friends. Enough stories to fill a book."
"Yet, I can’t escape thinking about the memories Ellie was yet to make. Graduating from the Maria Montessori Institute; starting her full-time job at Rigg-Farm Montessori; moving to Spain with her boyfriend Ryan. Teaching young children, and one day having children of her own. The future she had worked to build - with such strength - suddenly gone. The Ellie Kempley Scholarship hopes to carry on the legacy which Ellie could not. It has also helped me manage my own grief, giving me a channel to pour my energy and love for Ellie into. If you have the means, please do support my team and I in our efforts. It means the world!" You can donate to the fundrasier here.