Carnlough's wee Cora is hoping to be a Christmas angel

Last week, the Times spearheaded a Christmas appeal after eight-year-old Cora’s parents asked the public to send in decorations to make their daughter’s last Christmas extra special.

Days later, Cora’s mum Amy McQuade-Denvir received an invitation from Roddensvale school, where Cora is registered as a pupil.

“The school sent us a lovely letter asking if Cora could play an angel in their ‘Wriggly Nativity,” Amy told the Times.

“It was really sweet and I burst into tears when I read it.

“Cora has always been a Roddensvale pupil but she has hardly been to school in the past year due to her illness so we weren’t expecting anything.

“There aren’t many schools who would go out of their way like that, they are a really caring school.”

Cora is confined to a wheelchair and suffers from ailments including epilepsy, dystonia, cerebral palsy, hydrocephaly, blindness, and scoliosis.

Despite doctors revealing last November that she was experiencing brain failure and could pass away at any time, Cora battled on and looks set to enjoy the festive season with her family.

The family are now hoping that she will be well enough to take part in the nativity performance on Wednesday December 7.

“She has always been an angel in the school play,” Amy continued.

“We are so proud of her.”

Meanwhile, the family have been thrilled to receive Christmas decorations to adorn Cora’s special tree.

“We would like to thank everyone who has donated a bauble and tell them to keep them coming!” Amy laughed.

A lot of them are from strangers and some are accompanied by notes from kids, which is very sweet.”

To send Cora a decoration, post it to: Cora McQuade-Denvir, Drumalla Park, Carnlough, BT44OJE.