“Now hopefully Chelsea wont be waiting, she will be helping the people that need the help”
A dad whose teenage daughter died while suffering from an eating disorder has paid tribute to her as a new therapy room is opened in her name.
Chelsea Blue Mooney, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, who suffered from an eating disorder and mental health problems, died last year aged 17. Her heartbroken father, Steve Blackford, says his daughter never got the intervention needed to save her life.
But he says Chelsea can now be "helping the people that need the help" thanks to the new help centre in Princes Quay, run by Support and Empathy for People with Eating Disorders (SEED). Hull actress Gemma Oaten was joined by Steve and other members of the SEED team on Friday for its grand opening.
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Before cutting the ribbon, Steve made a poignant speech about Chelsea. He said: "She was a beautiful girl and an amazing, fantastic little daughter. And me a dad, she's the first daughter of mine, out of five."
"But the eating disorder is a very cruel, cruel illness and it really does need early intervention. And when we was looking for help, there was no places like this to come into.
"There were no places to walk into, or there were ever-lasting waiting lists. Now hopefully Chelsea won't be waiting, she will be helping the people that need the help and Seed have helped us do this.
"I can't thank Gemma, Marg, Dennis and all the team at Seed enough – not just for their support around eating disorders, but for me as a bereaved parent and my family."
"That is something I could never repay", Steve said. Gesturing to the plaque bearing his daughter's name, he finished: "So let's open this room – I'm sure it's cleaner than her room has ever been."
He then blew a kiss to the plaque and opened the door to applause and cheers. In homage to Chelsea Blue, the room is blue-themed with inspirational quotes on the walls and two comfy chairs to create a cosy and welcoming safe space.
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