Hospice heart appeal in memory of teenager

Hannah Debney's mother said she was "the bravest person" she had ever known

A mother has shared the story of her "totally remarkable" daughter's final days in a hospice as she helps launch a fundraising campaign inspired by the 17-year-old.

While Hannah Debney was cared for at Acorns Children's Hospice in Walsall, she made a heart shaped sculpture as a keepsake for her mother, Christine Debney.

The hospice is appealing to the public to dedicate a metal heart to the memory of someone they have lost, which will form part of a display.

Ms Debney said the hospice was "amazing" and added: "They allowed us as a family to be together during her final days.

"Hannah knew her fate and she was able to talk about it and she was very brave.

"She was totally remarkable, right up until the last moment.”

Hannah was diagnosed with a rare connective tissue disorder called Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome when she was 16 and contracted sepsis five times.

Ms Debney said each time she became weaker and eventually she told her she had had enough.

Acorns helped make a cast of Hannah’s hand for her mother, Christine Debney

“Hannah said she wanted to tell the doctors to stop," Ms Debney said.

"No-one should have to make decisions like that. It was Hannah who said she wanted to go to Acorns Children’s Hospice and to be transferred there.”

Christine described her daughter as "the bravest person" she had ever known.

Hannah died 15 days after she arrived, but while she was at Acorns she made keepsakes for her family.

They included a cast of her hand in the shape of the heart for her mother, and that symbol inspired the Hannah’s Hearts Appeal.

The purchased white hearts will go on display in September

Acorns said it needed about £30,000 each day to provide its children’s hospice care and suggested people made a donation of £30 to dedicate one of the white metal hearts.

Every heart will be displayed in a Garden of Everlasting Love along with personal messages in an installation at Arley Arboretum on 14 September, afterwards families will be allowed to take them home.