Keira is a princess for the day

Wannabe Disney Princess, Keira Moore, six, was joined by her mum, Terri, and brother, Lewis, for the special treat at the MetroCentre.

The family, from Nash Avenue, South Shields, were driven to the shopping complex in style in a purple Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II.

Keira, who uses St Oswald’s Hospice, suffers from a heart condition, pulmonary atresia, which is a malformation of the pulmonary valve obstructing the bloodflow from her heart to her lungs.

She also suffers from DiGeorge syndrome, leaving her with a depressed immune system.

Her special day out was arranged through national children’s charity, Together for Short Lives, in the run up to Children’s Hospice Week.

The national week is to raise awareness of children with life-shortening illnesses, and the services that support these families.

It will run from May 23 to 29 and the theme is ‘time to put families first’, which promotes creating special memories.

As well as being chauffeured in the Rolls Royce, Keira and her family were treated to a train ride on MetroCentre’s children’s train, ice cream at Joe Delucci’s ice cream parlour and officially opened the Disney Store for the day and picked out gifts.

Keira has been using St Oswald’s Hospice, Newcastle, since she was 18-months-old for respite visits.

Mum, Terri McElrue, said: “Our day out was brilliant, all of us had a fab time, especially Keira who was treated like a princess. She was absolutely buzzing to have been in the Rolls-Royce and then on the train, she’s already been telling all her friends at school about it!.

“After the experience at the MetroCentre, the driver took us near to the airport to watch some planes as Keira loves to watch airplanes landing. She’s never been so close to a plane so that was really special too.”

Carole Dixon, Children’s Service Manager at St Oswald’s, said: “Thank you to everyone who was involved in making sure that Keira and her family had a well-deserved special day filled with wonderful memories.

“The families we support are often under extreme stress and pressure due to the complex needs of the children we look after.

“Because of this, the hospice creates special memories and moments for the children we care for, for however long they may live.

“I’d like to say a special thank you to Mark McManus, from Low Cost Parcels, who won an auction prize at our 30th anniversary ball which included a day hire of the Rolls-Royce.

“Mark was so pleased with his prize that he kindly volunteered his own time to drive our families to their trips.

“It’s lovely to see so many people working together so that Keira had an unforgettable day.”