THE heartbreaking story of 16-year-old Tracy Massey and her brave family has brought an overwhelming response from the people of Burnley.

Tracy has been in a semi-coma - brain-damaged, unable to speak and hardly able to move - since an everyday illness went terribly wrong seven months ago.

She is due to return home from hospital this week, and her mother, Renee, has spoken to the Citizen about her gratitude to the people who between them have raised £5,000 for the family.

"The fund-raising has been tremendous," said Renee, whose husband, Bob, works for Interfilta, where staff raised £1,000.

"We have been overwhelmed by people's kindness, especially everyone at the hospital and those who have raised money. There are no words to express how grateful we are. We will use the money to make a better life for Tracy."

Tracy was off school with a sore throat in November when she suddenly began struggling for breath. She was rushed to Burnley General Hospital, where she was in intensive care for 17 days. Doctors saved her life, but lack of oxygen had caused brain damage. Tracy is now in the hospital's rehabilitation centre.

Her parents have made daily visits, and Renee has kept an almost constant vigil. The couple have moved from Prestwich Street to a bungalow in Norfolk Avenue, Burnley, where caring for Tracy when she comes home will be a little easier.

"It is torture to see Tracy in the condition she is in, but I will feel a lot better when she is here at home with us," said Renee. "I know that any improvement will be very slow, but I do have hope that she will get better.

"At the moment you can see her eyes follow you around the room, and she responds to the people around her."

Traders in the St Matthew's Street area, regulars at Coal Clough House and the General Havelock, staff at Nelson's Buoyant Upholstery and pupils and staff at Tracy's school, Ivy Bank, have all raised money to help Bob and Renee with the constant care Tracy will need.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.