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Fundraiser Kirsty Howard dies aged 20

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Fundraiser Kirsty Howard dies aged 20 Empty Fundraiser Kirsty Howard dies aged 20

Post by Guest Sat Oct 24, 2015 11:40 am

Kirsty Howard, who was born with a back-to-front heart and was not expected to live beyond the age of four, raised £7.5m for Manchester children’s hospital

Fundraiser Kirsty Howard dies aged 20 1938
Kirsty Howard was given just weeks to live at the age of four


    An inspirational fundraiser has died aged 20, despite doctors giving her just weeks to live at the age of four.Kirsty Howard captured the hearts of the nation battling her condition after she was the only British child – and one of only two worldwide – born with a back-to-front heart.Her parents Lynn and Steve were told she would not live past her fourth birthday. The youngster, from Wythenshawe, Manchester, was accompanied by David Beckham to hand over the ceremonial baton as the Queen opened the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002.She became a tireless fundraiser, raising more than £7.5m for Francis House children’s hospice in Manchester, winning a host of famous admirers during her lifetime.Kirsty died in hospital at 1.38am on Saturday surrounded by her family, a spokesman said.Her parents along with sisters, Zoe and Kim, were at the bedside at Manchester Royal Infirmary, a spokesman from the Kirsty Club, a charity founded by the youngster, confirmed.Her fundraising efforts won the support of politicians, pop stars and Hollywood actors as she continued to defy medical odds.During her short life she also overcame her illness to study childcare at college and was also a proud aunt before she died just a month after her 20th birthday.News of her death was met with hundreds of messages of condolence on Twitter. Howard became the face of the charity appeal for Francis House hospice, originally opened by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1991. Her charity work raised the funds necessary for the long-term future of its care for terminally ill children and support for their parents. The Kirsty Club was launched to expand and improve the service and as a lasting legacy to Kirsty’s bravery in battling her health condition while helping the lives of others. Celebrity supporters of the appeal included Gloria Hunniford, former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, Davina McCall and opera singer Russell Watson.http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/24/fundraiser-kirsty-howard-dies-aged-20RIP young lady, you used every bit of your short time here magnificently and your energy will shine in the universe.

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Fundraiser Kirsty Howard dies aged 20 Empty Re: Fundraiser Kirsty Howard dies aged 20

Post by Guest Sat Oct 24, 2015 2:43 pm

Very sad news, an amazing young lady.  Rest in peace Sad x

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