A headteacher, whose ankle injury turned out to be motor neurone disease (MND), has fulfilled a dream to open an £89,000 playground at her former school.
Claire Park had to retire from Hartburn Primary School in Stockton after being told she has MND, a condition which causes muscle weakness, in January 2025.
Her husband Matthew likened the condition to a game of “whack-a-mole”, with new health challenges appearing every day, but said the family remained positive.
Former colleagues, friends and businesses raised more than £100,000 to grant the former head’s years-long wish to refurbish the playground, and provide funds for the awareness charity the MND Association.