School in charity drive after head's diagnosis

'INSPIRATIONAL' CLAIRE HAS TO STEP AWAY FROM HER DREAM JOB

- By JADE MCELWEE

A TEESSIDE school is raising funds for motor neurone disease (MND) Association after its headteacher had to step away from her role due to the condition.

Claire Park has been left devastated after leaving her role as headteacher at Hartburn Primary School in Stockton following the heartbreaking diagnosis.

Best friend Gillian Ball, 43, said Claire had been feeling unwell for a year, including falls and dropping things, but was struggling to find out what was wrong. However, in May she was given the unthinkable news she was suffering from MND following an MRI scan.

Gillian said: "It has been absolutely devastating. It has just turned everyone's life upside down. You don't expect something like that, Claire is so fit and active. She has taken it incredibly well, she is very, very, very brave and is facing it with such a positive mindset."