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Wednesday , September 9 2026

Hartburn headteacher opens park after MND diagnosis

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.


BBC News

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