Parents of tragic Ashfield teen to raise roof in fundraising concert

The parents of a tragic Ashfield girl are calling for help to organise a fundraising concert to mark what would have been her 18th birthday.

Lisa and Carl Slaney, of Victoria Road, Kirkby, want to use the concert to raise cash for the Children’s Mitochondrial Disease Network, after the illness took their daughter’s life.

The couple are asking for help in organising the event - including finding a venue, performers and refreshments.

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Lisa said: “This will be a great celebration in Corah’s name.

“Carl and I are struggling at the moment as the reality of losing Corah sets in.

“Organising a concert gives us something to focus on.

“We can feel like we are doing something positive to hopefully give families in the future a better outlook if we can raise awareness and funds for more research.”

The charity is dedicated to providing support for victims and families of people with Mitochondrial Disease - a life-limiting condition which gives sufferers constant seizures and convulsions.

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Corah died in July 2015 after a seven month battle with the illness and a huge national fundraising campaign.

Thousands was raised to help pay for modifications to the family’s home to help cope with Corah’s disease.

The fundraising included the sale of an EP, AChorus4Corah, including songs sung by Corah before her health deteriorated.

She also got the chance to meet superstars Jessie J and Olly Murs during the campaign.

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Corah’s love of music is why the Slaney family decided a concert would be a fitting celebration for her 18th birthday - which would have been on April 28.

The concert is being organised for Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week in September.

Lisa added: “Thank you to anybody who is willing to help - it is greatly appreciated.”

The event, which will be called #RaiseTheRoof4Corah, will be held on Saturday 17th September, timed to coincide with the start of Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week.

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The family have created a wish-list of all the things they are hoping people and businesses will donate to make the concert happen.

This includes a concert venue, printing the tickets and program, choirs and bands to perform, a well-known artist to perform, refreshemnts, raffle and auction prizes.

For more information, contact Lisa and Carl Slaney by emailing [email protected].

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