Parents of tragic Kirkby teenager Corah Slaney donate ‘fun centre’ to King’s Mill Hospital children’s ward

The parents of Corah Slaney, who died aged 17 after a long battle with a terminal illness in July, used the £2,000 to buy a Starlight Fun Centre for ward 25 at the hospital.

Mum Lisa Slaney, of Victoria Road, said: “We have donated the centre in memory of Corah.

“The ward already have one similar system and Corah used to love using it - it really helped the time pass while she was in here.

“So hopefully it will help some other children for years and years to come.

“And the ward fully deserves it because the staff here are so friendly and loving.”

The Starlight centre is equipped with a HD TV, Blu-ray player, Nintendo Wii with four controllers, nun-chucks and steering wheels, four Nintendo DSi consoles and a range of films and games.

They provide constant entertainment and for children fighting illness and recovering from injuries in hospitals and hospices across the country.

The centre which was donated is worth £3,000, but Starlight donated part of the system, reducing it to £2,000.

The Slaneys used the rest of their money to purchase 30 extra DVDs to go with the system, to make sure teenagers were catered for as well as younger children.

Dad Carl said: “It was nice to do something with the leftover money in her memory.

“And a lot of kids will get use out of it.

“But we just want to thank everybody that has made this possible for all the kind donations they made.”

Thousands of pounds were raised for Corah after Chad highlighted the family’s campaign to raise money for modifications to their home to allow them to properly care for their daughter.

Corah required special care because she developed mitochondrial - an incurable disease which gives sufferers constant seizures and convulsions.

Businesses, friends and family pulled together for the cause, and a website and social media campaign, AChorus4Corah, generated support from thousands from across the globe.

The former Ashfield School pupil also got the chance to meet her favourite pop star, Jessie J, in February.

Dr Colin Dunkley was Corah’s consultant for the last three years and remembers her as a “special” child.

He said: “It’s amazing to be remembered and supported in this way, we really appreciate it.

“The fun centre is a lovely, pragmatic gift that we know will be put to good use.”

Lisa and Carl Slaney presented the centre to the ward with a big purple ribbon tied around it - as they wanted Corah’s favourite colour to be part of the presentation.

The equipment was delivered to the hospital on Thursday and staff members awarded the family with a certificate of thanks for their support.