Headteacher with MND opens playground after £100k appeal

Claire Park was diagnosed with MND at the start of 2025 when she was headteacher at Hartburn Primary School, near Stockton-on-Tees.

The Friends of Hartburn Primary School, Prince Regent Street Trust, and the wider local community, responded by launching an appeal aimed at realising Claire’s vision to create a new playground at the Teesside school.

And, following the appeal’s spectacular success, Claire has now returned to the school to cut the ribbon and officially open the playground – called Mrs Park’s Park.

Claire cuts the ribbon with Matthew's help (Image: Peter Barron)

Although Claire’s speech has become badly affected by MND, she was able to deliver a moving speech using artificial intelligence, which was able to replicate her voice from recordings taken at an early stage of her illness.

An audience of family members, colleagues and supporters was able to hear, in Claire’s own voice, how much the appeal’s success meant to her.

• LISTEN TO CLAIRE'S FULL SPEECH HERE

 “When I was headteacher of Hartburn Primary, I had a vision for this space. I wanted to create somewhere really special for our children, a place where they could play, explore, learn, be curious, make friends and, most importantly, have fun,” she said.

“Although I had to take early retirement, that vision was something I cared deeply about, so to come back today to see it become a reality is incredibly special to me.

“I am so proud that this wonderful playground will be part of Hartburn for generations of children to come.

“And what makes today even more meaningful is that this is not simply a playground, it is a legacy. It represents a community coming together and believing that our children deserve something wonderful, and then making it happen.

“When I look round today, I don’t just see a playground, I see memories. I see the children who will run, climb, laugh and learn here. I see friendships being made, and I see a little piece of my vision continuing to live on at the school I love so much.”

The mother-of-two was joined at the ribbon-cutting ceremony by her husband, Matthew, and other close members of her family.

Claire with members of her family: her husband, Matthew; her mum and dad, Martin and June Small; sister Hayley Morgan and husband Harvey; and Matthew's mum and dad, Nigel and Pauline Park (Image: Peter Barron)

Claire Park and husband, Matthew, in Mrs Park's Park (Image: Peter Barron)

Jill Ellison, chair of the Friends of Hartburn Primary, told Claire: “Thank you for your belief, your kindness, your passion, and everything you have given Hartburn. This park is your vision, your legacy, and our thank you.”

A charity ball raised more than £25,000, while other fundraising activities included children making friendship bracelets, supporters embarking on long-distance walks, and Hartburn teaching assistant, Mandy Lockwood, doing a skydive.

 Jill also acknowledged the “incredible” support of sponsors, including Persimmon Homes, the Ropner Trust, Darlington Building Society, Puzzle Education, Paul Leadbitter, David Wilson and Barratt Homes, and One IT Services.

The playground, installed by Newby Leisure, cost £89,000, with the rest of the money raised going to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Mental health charity, Stockton’s Men’s Shed, also helped to refurbish the school’s pond area, using the fencing from the old playground.

Children testing out the new play equipment as Claire Park and her husband, Matthew, watch in the background (Image: Peter Barron)

Claire Park and her husband, Matthew, watch pupils on the new play equipment at Mrs Park's Park (Image: Peter Barron)

Pupil Summer Collins, 10, said: “I love Mrs Park’s Park. It’s really exciting for all of the kids to be able to play here and we’re so grateful to have it.

Having fun in Mrs Park's Park (Image: Peter Barron)

“We haven’t seen Mrs Park for ages and we’re so happy to see her again. It has made us so happy that the playground is dedicated to her.”

Chief executive of Prince Regent Street Trust, Julia Armstrong, a former headteacher at Hartburn Primary, said: “This has not only been about Hartburn Primary School responding magnificently in heartbreaking circumstances, but all six of our schools have played a significant part, along with the wider community.

“Claire’s story has inspired such an overwhelmingly positive reaction across all ages, and it means so much to all of us to know we have made her vision a reality.”