Hundreds of mourners united on Tuesday to bid a final farewell to brave Kirsty Howard, who died last week at the age of 20. The young girl was born with a back-to-front heart and was given just weeks to live at the age of four. She went on to defy doctors and inspired everyone with her courage and strength.
© Photo: RexCorrie's Samia Ghadie and Antony Cotton at the funeral
Celebrities such as Coronation Street's Samia Ghadie and Antony Cotton, and Royle Family actress Sue Johnston were amongst the mourners at the funeral which was held in Manchester.
Kirsty had many more celebrity supporters during the years including David Beckham, who paid tribute to the youngster last week, Prince Charles and David and Samantha Cameron. Thanks to her tireless fundraising, she raised more than £7million for the Francis House Children's Hospital in Manchester.
© Photo: RexSinger Russell Watson was also at the service
Opera singer Russell Watson was also at the private service. He was pictured arriving at the church wearing a black suit and jacket and pink ribbon. Mourners had been asked to wear pink, Kirsty's favourite colour.
Russell's song Nothing Sacred - A Song For Kirsty was played as her coffin was carried into the church. The singer recorded the track back in 2004 to join the fundraising efforts for Kirsty and Francis House Hospice in Didsbury.
© Photo: RexFollowing news of her death last week, he tweeted: "My inspirational friend Kirsty Howard is with the Angels. My heart is aching so much. RIP Angel forever xxxx".
During her lifetime, Kirsty has received several awards. In 2001 she received the Child of Courage Award and in 2002 she was given the Pride of Britain Award. Two years later she won the Helen Rollason Award for courage at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
