Inspirational Kirsty Howard dies aged 20 defying doctors who gave her weeks to live at 4
http://daily-geeks.blogspot.com/2015/10/inspirational-kirsty-howard-dies-aged.html
A courageous fundraiser who inspired celebrities and world leaders alike has passed away aged 20, defying doctors who gave her just weeks to live at the age of four.
Kirsty Howard, who was born with her heart back to front, died in the early hours of Saturday surrounded by her family.
The brave young woman captured the hearts of the nation and was awarded the Child of Courage Award at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards in 2002.
Kirsty, who celebrated her 20th birthday last month, also inspired David Beckham to score the winning goal in a World Cup qualifier.
The tireless fundraiser, from Wythenshawe, Manchester, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday suffering from a kidney infection.
Despite battling with her trademark courage, she suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday morning and was transferred to the intensive care unit at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
A spokesman from the Kirsty Club, a charity founded by the youngster, confirmed she passed away at 1.30am on Saturday morning.
Her parents, Steve, 58, and Lynne 49, were with her as well as sisters Zoe 26, and Kim 23.
Over the years she inspired countless celebrities and others around the country.
This included David Beckham, who she walked out with to help open the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002.
With a beaming smile, she passed the torch used to open the ceremony onto the Queen.
She was also a tireless fundraiser, raising more than £7.5m for Francis House Children’s Hospital in Manchester.
Kirsty had overcome her illness to study childcare at college and was also a proud auntie.
Kirsty won a host of famous admirers during her lifetime.
Beckham befriended the youngster when she led out the England team at Old Trafford in 2001, for a World Cup qualifier against Greece in which her hero scored the winning goal.
A year later, she met Beckham again as she handed over the Golden Jubilee baton to the Queen at the opening ceremony for the Manchester Commonwealth Games.
She has also spent time with David and Samantha Cameron, as well as former prime minister and his wife Tony and Cherie Blair.
In 2004 she won the Helen Rollason Award for courage at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
Kirsty continued to do charity work through The Kirsty Club which aims to keep improving the Francis House Children's Hospice.
The Mirror's sister paper, the Sunday People, first backed Kirsty's fundraising drive for Francis House in 1999.
In 16 months readers raised more than £200,000 towards her first £1 million.
She broke the £5 million mark in 2006 then reached £7.5 million, meaning a new wing could be built to help even more desperately I'll youngsters and their families.
Check out the full story here: SOURCE
Kirsty Howard, who was born with her heart back to front, died in the early hours of Saturday surrounded by her family.
The brave young woman captured the hearts of the nation and was awarded the Child of Courage Award at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards in 2002.
Kirsty, who celebrated her 20th birthday last month, also inspired David Beckham to score the winning goal in a World Cup qualifier.
The tireless fundraiser, from Wythenshawe, Manchester, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday suffering from a kidney infection.
Despite battling with her trademark courage, she suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday morning and was transferred to the intensive care unit at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
A spokesman from the Kirsty Club, a charity founded by the youngster, confirmed she passed away at 1.30am on Saturday morning.
Her parents, Steve, 58, and Lynne 49, were with her as well as sisters Zoe 26, and Kim 23.
Over the years she inspired countless celebrities and others around the country.
This included David Beckham, who she walked out with to help open the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002.
With a beaming smile, she passed the torch used to open the ceremony onto the Queen.
She was also a tireless fundraiser, raising more than £7.5m for Francis House Children’s Hospital in Manchester.
Kirsty had overcome her illness to study childcare at college and was also a proud auntie.
Kirsty won a host of famous admirers during her lifetime.
Beckham befriended the youngster when she led out the England team at Old Trafford in 2001, for a World Cup qualifier against Greece in which her hero scored the winning goal.
A year later, she met Beckham again as she handed over the Golden Jubilee baton to the Queen at the opening ceremony for the Manchester Commonwealth Games.
She has also spent time with David and Samantha Cameron, as well as former prime minister and his wife Tony and Cherie Blair.
In 2004 she won the Helen Rollason Award for courage at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
Kirsty continued to do charity work through The Kirsty Club which aims to keep improving the Francis House Children's Hospice.
The Mirror's sister paper, the Sunday People, first backed Kirsty's fundraising drive for Francis House in 1999.
In 16 months readers raised more than £200,000 towards her first £1 million.
She broke the £5 million mark in 2006 then reached £7.5 million, meaning a new wing could be built to help even more desperately I'll youngsters and their families.
Check out the full story here: SOURCE