AFTER her mum was told she had two months to find a new job, young Ella Few decided to take matters into her own hands.
Armed with just a pen and paper, the 14-year-old drew up a petition to stop the closure of the care home where her mum works, Middleton Manor in Maldon, and has collected nearly 150 signatures to present to the owners.
Ella, who attends Plume School, said: "My mum came home one evening really upset and I wanted to do something to help.
"I love the care home too as I've visited the residents and helped out with the parties they run, so I want it to stay open.
"I started to collect people's signatures in school and when I showed my mum it brought a tear to her eye.
"My teachers are really proud of me too and I want to present it to the managers in the future."
The schoolgirl has collected 137 signatures in two weeks and also directed fellow protesters to a Facebook page where they can find more information.
Mum Debbie, who works as a care assistant at the residential home, said: "There aren't many young people who would go out of their way to help with an issue such as this, I'm so proud of Ella.
"All the staff at the home are just gutted about the planned closure. It isn't just a job to me, it's a family and I absolutely love it."
The declaration by owners Larchwood Care at the beginning of Februrary, that the care home was no longer commercially viable and would have to close, has been met with fierce protests. Up to 40 jobs are understood to be at risk.
A group of residents and relatives came together for their second emergency meeting last Thursday to discuss a plan of action, but resident Michael McArdell fears it may be too late.
"Since the announcement 15 of our residents have already taken fright and moved somewhere else.
"I'm worried now that they'll claim there are too few of us in the home to keep it running so they've won by stealth."
However Michael, 83, maintains he is yet to receive formal notification that he must leave and will keep fighting against the proposed closure.
"Until I've received something on paper then I'm not shifting, I plan to be as awkward as possible."
