Teen Helaina shall go to a birthday ball

BRAVE teenager Helaina Stone can go to her birthday ball after an Oldham hotel waved its magic wand to grant her wish.

Two weeks ago the Chronicle told how Helaina — who has amazed doctors by surviving a lifetime of illness and operations — had her 18th birthday dreams shattered when The Bower Hotel, in Chadderton, unexpectedly cancelled the booking.

Helaina, who suffers from an extremely rare genetic disordered called Costello Syndrome, and her mum Cath, were devastated and thought they would no longer be able to celebrate the birthday they thought they’d never see.

But after reading about their sad plight Hotel Smokies Park offered to stage the special celebration and Cath says she and overjoyed Helaina are now planning a party to remember.

“After the story in the Chronicle I had a call from Smokies to say they would hold the party for the same price as I was paying at The Bower,” said Cath, from New Moston.

“We had a look round and it was perfect. Helaina’s happy with it, just as long as she can have her party!

“It was very nice of them to get in touch. It just goes to show there is always kindness out there.

“It’s such a special event to us because everyday Helaina is here is a bonus.”

Cath was left fuming after The Bower Hotel cancelled the July booking she had made in February, 2011, citing her “previous complaints” as the reason.

She says she’s since received a letter from The Bower explaining how and why the room reservation was cancelled but she’s still disgusted at the way she was treated.

“Some of the things they said in that letter are a load of rubbish,” she said. “What they did was cruel and unjustified as far as I’m concerned. We are now focusing on the party at Smokies, it is going to be very special and something we’ll all remember.”