A SCHOOL pupil who donated money from a bravery award to help pay for a new play park watched as it was unveiled and said: "I just hope people enjoy it."

Faizan Awan, 15, was guest of honour at the official opening of the new play area in Corporation Park, Blackburn.

Along with Coun Kate Hollern, the executive member for sport and leisure at Blackburn with Darwen Council, he cut the ribbon allowing local youngsters to use the new £30,000 facility.

Faizan donated the £1,500 he was given by the National Kidney Research Foundation when he won one of their bravery awards for his battle against kidney failure. '

The Beardwood High School pupil, of Leamington Road, Blackburn, spent 18 months on a dialysis machine in between his kidneys failing and an operation to give him a replacement donated by his father, Khalid, which took place in June 2000.

It was the second time Faizan had undergone such an operation, having had his first transplant when he was just three years old when his kidneys were found to be malfunctioning.

After the operation, it was feared Faizan might need a third operation after he developed an infection but he finally returned to school last year

In total, he has undergone 25 operations since he was born.

By handing over his prize money to the council, Faizan kickstarted a chain of events which led to the opening.

The council responded by donating its own cash as part of a £2million scheme aimed at restoring the park using Lottery money.

The opening was part of a wider event held to try and make the local community use the park more.

It was one of a number of Spirit of Friendship events being organised by Blackburn with Darwen Council to celebrate the Commonwealth Games.