Tributes pour in after fundraiser Kirsty Howard dies aged 20

Kirsty famously walked out with David Beckham ahead of England’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Greece in 2001, when the midfielder scored the goal which secured the country’s spot at the tournament.

David Beckham has paid a touching personal tribute to “miracle girl” Kirsty Howard who has died aged 20, after being given just weeks to live at the age of four.

The 40-year-old soccer star shared an adorable photo with Kirsty, on Instagram, captioning it “Words can not describe how fantastic this young lady has been over the years”.

She became a tireless fundraiser, raising more than £7.5 million for Francis House Children’s Hospital in Manchester, winning a host of famous admirers during her lifetime.

Conservative leader David Cameron and his wife Samantha meet Kirsty Howard to learn about the Kirsty Appeal organised for Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.

And Emmerdale’s Eden Taylor-Draper, who plays Belle Dingle, said: “So saddened by the news of Kirsty Howard she was the sweetest”.

The Manchester Evening News reports that Kirsty died at 1.30am on Saturday morning. She was a major part of a charitable foundation which raised 5 million Pounds for Francis House. Heaven has gained a true angel xx” and Karen Sutcliffe said: “So sad to hear Kirsty Howard has died.

Her parents Lynn and Steve were told that Kirsty, one of only two children in the world with the condition at the time, would not live past her fourth birthday.

Amanda Sweeney tweeted: “RIP kirstyhoward such an inspirational and very strong fearless young lady”. My thoughts are with her family.

“It’s just shattering. She was a little fighter but there was just no more strength to get through this one”.

Kirsty had been receiving respite care at Francis House in Didsbury, a children’s hospice opened by Princess Diana in 1991 that was facing closure through lack of funding.

She continued to raise money through her charity The Kirsty Club, which was supported by many including Harrod’s boss Mohamed Al Fayed.

Kirsty first met David Beckham in 2001 when she was a mascot for England’s 2002 World Cup qualifier against Greece.

Launched by children’s hospice Francis House, the page has been set up with the aim of continuing the incredible work the 20-year-old achieved in the years and months before her untimely death.

She has also been honoured by the Variety Club of Great Britain, was named Manchester’s Citizen of the Year in 2007 and last year became Cosmopolitan’s Ultimate Woman of Courage.

“We can not express enough our humble thanks and gratitude to an incredible young woman”.

She passed away surrounded by her family at the Manchester Royal Infirmary. Such an inspirational young lady.