Five-year-old Kirkby girl with incurable condition helped by charity set up in memory of teenager Corah Slaney

A little girl with an incurable condition can enjoy precious moments on her swing with her family thanks to a charity set up in memory of Kirkby teenager Corah Slaney.
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Five year old Chloe Askew was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of two which has left her unable to walk or speak.

This week thanks to the Corah’s Song charity her family took delivery of a special swing which her parents say has immeasurably improved her quality of life.

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Mum Theresa Wood 39, said: “We were going to look into a swing for Chloe – she has had a lot months in hospital and spent a month in intensive care.

Five year old Chloe Askew on her special swing donated by Corah's Song charity.Five year old Chloe Askew on her special swing donated by Corah's Song charity.
Five year old Chloe Askew on her special swing donated by Corah's Song charity.

“Throughout lockdown we have been in and out of the hospital for 10 weeks.

"She had a tracheotomy fitted and a new diagnosis on top of all her other ailments which have derived from her brain tumour.

“She loves her swing, the normal ones she can’t use but they got her one she can lie down in – its all secure and she absolutely loves it.”

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“The swing gives her much more quality of life. She loves the garden and swings. She’s now got that safe space where she can enjoy the wing in her own environment . If we can’t get her to the park it’s nice to have that here.

Chloe Askew, 5 enjoys her swing with brother Jensen Askew 6 and sister Ellie Cotterell 14.Chloe Askew, 5 enjoys her swing with brother Jensen Askew 6 and sister Ellie Cotterell 14.
Chloe Askew, 5 enjoys her swing with brother Jensen Askew 6 and sister Ellie Cotterell 14.

“When we put her in she was so excited she was kicking her legs around. She loved it so much she wouldn’t come out- it’s given her so much more enjoyment.”

Lisa and Carl Slaney, from Kirkby, set up the charity after their 17-year-old daughter, Corah, died following a long battle with mitochondrial disease - a terminal illness which gives sufferers constant seizures and convulsions.

Corah Slaney died on July, 2, 2015.

The keen singer, from Kirkby, had battled the disease for six months before passing away at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, where she was receiving treatment.

Corah Slaney in 2015.Corah Slaney in 2015.
Corah Slaney in 2015.
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Theresa said: “I only met Lisa on Tuesday and she just blew me away. They have experienced the worst that any person could imagine and how they have found the strength to put smiles on other childrens’ faces when they have gone through so much themselves. I was just in awe of them.”

Lisa Slaney said: “Chloe’s story was brought to our attention as we heard of friends of Chloe wanting to do some fund raising to fund her and her siblings a swing she could enjoy in her garden.

“As Chloe is part of our local community and we fell in love with her beautiful smile we wanted to help.”

The charity continues to raise awareness of motochondrial disease and recently bought a shower stretcher for a nine-year-old boy who has sadly now passed away.

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Lisa added: “We always welcome donations and companies that will host one of our hampers to raffle off for us. At Easter time Collins Earth works raffled off a couple of our hamper and this funded the shower stretcher for Carter. We were so grateful to them for helping us out.”

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