WHEN it comes to bravery, seven-year-old Michael Gillespie could show 'Richard the Lionheart' a thing or two!

For Michael, of Beech Drive, Leigh, has had to endure a life-time of heart problems.

Born with his heart the wrong way round, he has just endured an eight hours operation at Birmingham Children's Hospital to have the fault rectified and has also had a pacemaker fitted in a two-hour follow-on operation.

A Manchester United fanatic, Michael, a pupil at Christ Church school, Pennington, insisted on wearing his United pyjamas during his time in hospital. Now he's looking forward to visiting Old Trafford to watch a match with his dad, David.

His proud mum Vivienne said: "We think Michael is so brave going through the pain and the trauma he has had to go through without a murmur.

"He is now going to have a new lifestyle thanks to the marvellous staff at Birmingham, especially the surgeon Mr. B. Brawn who saved his life.

"He even took some stick during his time in hospital while Manchester United were doing so badly, but he still insisted on wearing his pyjamas and even had a United football in the bed with him!

"Both he and his dad are United fans but it hasn't been possible for Michael to go to Old Trafford because of his heart defect, but we hope he will be able to go when he is feeling better. We also hope to arrange a trip to Lapland for him to see where Santa Claus lives!

"His new gift of life means everything to us all, including his sister Joanne. We all think the world of him, and really admire his bravery. He went through a lot of pain and still stays cheerful."

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