A Manx teenager is one of the faces of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital’s 2018 fundraiser, ’Be a Superstar’.

The campaign is run with the support of Matalan for the fifth year.

Grace Lee, aged 13, from Douglas, has an incurable congenital heart condition and in her life time has had has had six successful heart surgeries at Alder Hey.

Grace, who attends King William’s College, is now fronting the hospital’s charity single, a cover of S Club 7’s hit ’Reach For The Stars’.

Grace has been treated by Alder Hey since she was just eight days old, after her mum, Kara, felt something was wrong soon after her birth.

suffering

Kara said: ’Within hours of her birth I knew something wasn’t right. Grace was breathing rapidly, even panting. She was also suffering with jaundice, struggling with fluid retention and a rapid heart rate.

’So we were eventually referred to Alder Hey for a heart scan.’

Grace was diagnosed with hypoplastic aortic arch, coarctation, ventricle septal defect and small outlet in the left side of the heart.

This means that the structures on the left side of Grace’s heart have all needed enlarging.

Despite her tough entry into the world, Grace has spent the past four years as a Alder Hey Children’s Charity’s Young Fundraising Ambassadors.

In that time she has helped with raising thousands of pounds for the hospital.

She has appeared on ITV’s Surprise Surprise where she performed with the cast of Matilda The Musical.

Grace has also gone on to sing at numerous charity events for Alder Hey Children’s Charity including at Liverpool One, Knowsley Hall, the Echo arena, Heathrow, Liverpool Airport and the Dorchester Hotel in London.

Grace said ’I am so grateful to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for saving my life.

’My cardiologist Dr Joyce Lim has looked after me since my first ever day at Alder Hey. Dr Kevin Southern has looked after my lungs since I was two years old.

’Because I have known them so long and they are so nice I never feel worried going to hospital.

’I love singing and I absolutely love singing for Alder Hey.’

As well as Grace, Alder Hey has provided support and medical assistance for thousands of Manx children and their families.

The single is now available from all major online music stores, such as iTunes or the CD can be bought from Matalan stores in the UK for £1.99.

All of the profits from CD sales and downloads will go direct to Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

Matalan is also selling baby, kids, adult and pet pyjamas, as well as a baby grow and bed socks.

And bedding in sizes single and double, as well as a limited edition sleep mask. All profits go to Alder Hey.