God Bless, Kirsty.
Nice bit about her and Becks here :
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/david-beckham-pays-emotional-tribute-10326154#rlabs=6%20rt$sitewide%20p$3Former Manchester United and England footballer David Beckham has paid an emotional tribute to inspirational fundraiser Kirsty Howard after she died today.
Kirsty, 20, was born with her heart back to front and died in the early hours of Saturday surrounded by her family.
Beckham famously helped Kirsty onto the pitch at Old Trafford in 2001 for a World Cup qualifier with Greece and was frequently seen at various awards and charity drives with her.
She became a national hero at the 2002 Commonwealth Games when with Beckham she passed the baton to the Queen while attached to her oxygen cylinder.
Kirsty, who celebrated her 20th birthday last month , also inspired David Beckham to score the winning goal in a World Cup qualifier.
In a posting on Instagram, which featured a picture of himself and Kirsty, Beckham wrote:
"Words cannot describe how amazing this young lady has been over the years
"Kirsty has been defying doctors for many years and whilst doing that she has been raising millions of pounds for terminally ill children.
"I met Kirsty in 2002 when she became the nation's and my good luck charm for the game against Greece, we also met the queen together in Manchester so you could say we have spent some amazing moments together over the years and it was an inspiration to meet such a brave young lady with so much drive for helping others.
"My love and thoughts go to Kirsty's parents and sisters as this inspirational young lady will be missed.
"My heart and love goes to Kirsty for letting me be a small part of your world over the years.
"Rest in peace."
It is estimated that Kirsty, who was from Wythenshawe, Manchester, raised more than £7.5m for Manchester's Francis House Children's Hospice during her lifetime.
Her efforts won the praise of prime ministers, pop stars and Hollywood actors as she defied medical odds.
The tireless fundraiser 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 new fundraising drive has begun in memory of Kirsty.
Her charity The Kirsty Club set up a JustGiving page this morning to raise money to go towards the £4m-a-year running costs of Francis House children’s hospice in Didsbury.
Anyone who wants to donate can go to
www.justgiving.com/KirstyClub/https://instagram.com/p/9OfvSpzWaa
