AN inspirational student has helped lay the foundation stone for a vital centre which supports youngsters with a short life expectancy. Kate Snape, who was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a muscle-wasting disease that affects the spinal cord and nerves, was joined by Paralympic champion Sarah Storey at Francis House in Manchester last year when building work started. The 17-year-old is currently studying A levels at Cronton Sixth Form College in the hope of a career in medical research to help others with a condition which means she will never walk. Kate, from Penketh, said: “I need assistance from my carers with lab work but I manage though I realise that studying science will become more difficult as my condition worsens. “I’m quite lucky in some respects to have the abilities I have got but I don’t have the luxury of being able to put make-up on and can’t do little things like lift homework books because they’re too heavy.” Francis House Children’s Hospice has provided a much-needed escape for Kate for the last decade with a new building set to open in the spring. Kate, who has twin sisters Isabelle and Esther, aged 12, added: “Hopefully, because there are more beds I’ll be able to come in more often and there’s a separate room which accommodates friends. “My family are brilliant with me but I feel as though I’m going to them every five minutes for some help. “Coming here gives them a break as well.”