A young Manchester United fan had her dream come true when she got to accompany her team onto the pitch.
Eight-year-old Grace Anderson was lucky enough to be a mascot for the Reds at their game against Rochdale on Wednesday evening and said it was 'the best night of my life'.
For her parents Vanessa and Mike, from Tyldesley, watching their little girl grow and thrive was once something they feared they may never see.
Having been born with a rare heart defect, which meant her heart chambers were pumping blood the wrong way round, she needed her first heart surgery at just three months old.
She's since gone on to have a further seven operations, including two more open heart surgeries, neuro surgery and eye surgery - all undergone at Alder Hey.
Swipe through the gallery below for more images of Grace's mascot experience
Her most recent was in 2017, a 13-hour operation in which a pace maker was fitted.
She's since recovered well and was ecstatic to get the chance to meet her favourite team and walk out onto the Old Trafford pitch with Axel Tuanzebe, who was made captain for the game.
Leaving her Manchester City supporting dad Mike and twin brother James at home, Grace - who also appeared on the CBBC show Operation Ouch during one of her hospital stays - was accompanied by mum Vanessa and proud grandparents Ray and Pauline Clarence.
"I loved it, it was brilliant," said Grace, a pupil at Tyldesley Primary School. "My favourite player Marcus Rashford wasn't there but I met all the others and it was really good."
Vanessa, who had her own sneaky picture taken with former United player Bryan Robson, said: "It was such a brilliant night and Grace hasn't stopped talking about it, she said it was the best night of her life and was absolutely buzzing afterwards."
She praised her daughter for how well she's coped with her condition, which will mean she's monitored by the hospital for the rest of her life.
"Grace takes everything in her stride," said Vanessa, a high school teacher. "She's never moaned or complained and is always positive.
"She's always thinking about other people and is very selfless. She's raised £2,700 for Alder Hey and £1,500 for Cancer Research with different fundraising events."
Vanessa added: "Grace has made a really good recovery since her last operation and we're hoping that if it continues to be successful - and her heart doesn't start to fail - then it will be the last big operation she'll need.
"So few children have the condition though, so we don't know for certain, but all the signs are good and she's able to play out and do non contact sport with her friends now, which she used to be too tired to do. We're so proud of how well she's coped."
A spokesperson for the Manchester United Foundation said most mascot places are organised via club partners and sponsors, but any remaining spaces are offered to children with life-limiting or terminal illnesses or are auctioned to raise funds for charity.
A spokesperson said: "It’s really special to be able to offer such an opportunity to young people at a time in their lives when they might need a boost. We’re really pleased Grace enjoyed the experience."
