A tribute to Kirsty Howard 1995-2015
PUBLISHED: 15:42 16 November 2015 | UPDATED: 15:42 16 November 2015
Pictures by, Chris Gleave. Pic shows, Kirsty Howard with David Beckham at The Lowry hotel.
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Cheshire Life pays tribute to an extra special charity fundraiser who died recently.
Kirsty Howard with David Beckham and the Queen at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Photo courtesy of the Manchester Evening NewsThe bravery and courage of Kirsty Howard touched the hearts of many over the years. As a little girl and patient at Francis House in Didsbury she pledged her commitment to a campaign to raise £5M to ensure the hospice’s future.
It was feared that Kirsty, who suffered from an extremely rare condition in which the heart is back to front, would live only a few months. But supported by her parents Lynne and Steve from Northern Moor, Manchester, and caring medics and friends, she battled on and became a figurehead for the campaign which reached its target in 2006.
Her fundraising work for Francis House then continued through the Kirsty Club, which has always been backed by Cheshire’s great and good. Her celebrity supporters have included David and Victoria Beckham, Russell Watson, Richard Fleeshman, Susie Mathis, Sue Johnston and Coronation Street actors including Antony Cotton.
Kirsty’s most famous public appearance was seen across the world when, assisted by David Beckham, she met The Queen at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
David Cameron and his wife Samantha met Kirsty to learn about the Kirsty Appeal organised for Francis House Children's Hospice on the eve of the Conservative Party annual conference in October 2009Kirsty, we salute you. Rest in peace.
