Ella Cleaver raised thousands for a Splash of Yellow for Marcus

An Essendon teenager is baking up a storm to raise money for a children’s charity in memory of her best friend.

Ella Cleaver has raised thousands for A Splash of Yellow for Marcus, a charity which honours Marcus Rosin. Picture: Adam Daunt

From the tragedy of losing one of her childhood best friends, Ella Cleaver turned pain into a invaluable support for a charity close to her heart.

Ella Cleaver and Marcus Rosin were best friends from an early age after meeting while their sisters practised at dance class. However, tragedy struck when Marcus was diagnosed with ependymoma brain cancer at age four before passing away from a long battle at the age of nine.

“He was one of my favourite people,” Ella said.

“We could always be cheeky and smile together.”

Marcus’ family worked hard to establish the foundation A Splash of Yellow For Marcus to raise money to support the Royal Children‘s Hospital Melbourne. It helps fund essential clinical research and trials for children’s brain cancer.

Ella wanted to play her part to honour her childhood best friend and set to make an impact. Selling various sweets, Ella raised $1675 across 2020 and 2021 which proved invaluable as the charity’s annual gala ball was disrupted due to Covid.

Ella Cleaver has raised thousands for A Splash of Yellow for Marcus, a charity which honours Marcus Rosin. Picture: Adam Daunt

Recently, in childhood cancer month during September, Ella stepped up her baking game and catered a full high tea for 20 people to raise more than $2000 more for the charity.

“Growing up, he was one of my closest friends and our families were really close, so it meant a lot to be able to do it for him,” she said.

“I think I kind of grew up around Mum and Nan always cooking and then I kind of fell into a passion for it so I started doing a few courses and now it is one of my favourite things to do.

“I think this has been really rewarding to raise money for someone who is no longer here and seeing so many people and businesses from the community come together to help as well.”

The major fundraising haul was enough to see her win a national competition from Panadol Care Collective with a $500 prize to recognise her contribution to the Essendon and surrounds community.

It’s something sister Olivia says is just rewards for the budding pastry chef who spent close to eight hours in the kitchen and two weeks planning to cater the high tea.

“I think she doesn’t get enough recognition for what she is doing, like it was all out of pocket money on our behalf but I think it (the award) was kind of nice,” she said.

“It kind of says ‘here put it to something that you want to do’ and hopefully gives her the motivation to keep going and encourages her.

“I am super proud of her.”