THE Birkenhead Kennels' friends charity has received a donation of more than £2,000 from the family of a popular and fun-loving supporter who died earlier this year.

Ellie Bloomfield was just 27 when she passed away from a dual pulmonary embolism, or blood clot in the lungs, at Arrowe Park Hospital on September 10.

The former teacher, from Moreton, was a regular visitor to the kennels along with husband Chris.

It was this love of dogs that inspired Ellie's family to raise money for the kennels at her funeral, which took place at Landican Cemetery and attended by more than 300 people.

The combined amount of donations from the collection box and a Just Give on-line donation for Friends of Birkenhead Kennels charity was £2,491.10, which was handed over to its trustee Sam Simpson and volunteers at its premises in Corporation Road on Thursday afternoon.

Ellie's husband Chris, who was born in Chester, told the Globe: "The donation is a perfect tribute to Ellie and her love of animals.

"One of things Ellie loved most in the world was dogs; we have our own dog, a little beagle called Holliday, who wears a little neckerchief that Ellie’s mum and dad bought him.

"She was a devout dog lover and was even planning to have another dog in the near future.

“In fact, we bought a bigger bed and the first thing Ellie said was ‘more room for another dog’".

Wirral Globe:

Chris Bloomfield, with Ellie's parents Julie and Peter Carroll, hands over the donation to Sam Simpson, trustee of Friends of Birkenhead Kennels and volunteers. Picture: Craig Manning

Ellie's mum and dad Peter and Julie Carroll have a little black staffordshire terrier called Sabre which Ellie called Boo.

Julie told the Globe: "As the place had a very special place in Ellie's heart, that we would ask people to donate to the kennels. That is what Ellie would have wanted."

Paying tribute to her daughter, Julie continue: "Ellie was a very popular, fun-loving, clever girl.

"She had two degrees and had just landed a lovely job at a company called SISRA, a Birkenhead company which produces software for schools."

Praising the public's support, the couple said: "We would like to thank all the people who kindly donated to Friends of Birkenhead Kennels and especially the generosity of work colleagues at SISRA, Neston High School, Unilever Research and UK Call Centre.

"We would also like to thank the staff at Arrowe Park Hospital, who were fantastic."

Praising the family's generosity Sam Simpson, Trustee of Friends of Birkenhead Kennels, told the Globe: "I cannot thank the family enough. 

"This is an amazing donation, it will be a great help to the charity’s fundraising work.

"We're grateful for any donations we receive."

To support the kennels visit http://www.fobk.org.uk/