Mum of sick girl blasts 1D concert

Katie Burns (8) and her sister Shannon (14) had been so excited last week to attend Tuesday’s One Direction concert in the city however their dreams were dashed when the concert was cancelled at the last minute.

And their disappointment was doubled when the Friday concert the multi-millionaire band rescheduled was disappointing according to mum Caroline.

Katie, who has been very ill with the very serious blood cancer, had been looking forward to seeing the band since Santa Clause brought her tickets at Christmas.

However mum Caroline who took Katie, Shannon, who attends Lismore Comprehensive and her niece Molly Mulholland to the concert, said the three of them cried their eyes out when they realised the boy band had let them down.

Caroline explained that Katie, a pupil at the Bunscoil at St John’s PS in Portadown, had been battling cancer and Santa had brought the ID tickets to give her something to look forward to.

The eight-year-old got the all clear from Leukaemia just weeks ago and Caroline said they were all very excited about going to the Belfast concert.

“The tickets cost around £300, plus we must have spent up to £70 on parking, food and face painting,” said Caroline.

Caroline, from Carrigart Crescent, slammed the way both concerts were handled and said she is definitely not a One Direction fan anymore.

After waiting for hours outside the venue and then again inside waiting on the band, the girls were devastated when it was finally announced that One Direction would not be playing the Tuesday concert as one of the members Liam Payne had fallen ill.

However soon after that announcement little Katie took ill and had to be brought to a paediatric nurse back stage at the concert.

“Shannon was crying her heart out. She has followed them from the start. I am so annoyed at the way it was handled.

“There were a lot of very sick kids at that gig and they let them all down. They should have shown a bit more respect,” said Caroline.

Caroline was pleased the group had hastily organised a concert for that Friday.

However she said she was definitely not impressed by the One Direction performance.

The family are trying to raise funds to fulfil one of Katie’s dreams to go to Disneyland in Florida. If you would like to donate go to www.gofundme.com/katie-s-dream