Popstar Katy Perry fulfills dying teenager's wish

Monday, 2 May 2016 00:00

Sophie Birtles is currently receiving care at Rebecca House Hospice

Singing superstar Katy Perry has responded to a social media campaign started on the Isle of Man to help a dying teenager fulfil her last wish.

The popstar has recorded a message for 13-year-old Sophie Birtles who suffers from the rare genetic disorder Juvenile Sandhoff Disease.

She's currently receiving end of life care at Rebecca House Children's Hospice.

Over the weekend the campaign went viral with thousands of people joining the effort to get her request noticed by using the hashtag #youreafireworksophie.

This morning her father, Andy, tweeted to say the family has the message and are "very excited" to share it with Sophie when she wakes up.

More from Isle of Man News

Cruise visit brings thousands of passengers

The biggest cruise ship to visit the Island this year makes her third stop of the season in Douglas today.
Tesco applies for retrospective planning permission over new store feature

Tesco has applied for retrospective planning permission for a Click and Collect area in Douglas.
MHK wants to know about benefits being claimed for children off-Island

An MHK is to quiz the Island's Treasury Minister about parents who claim benefits for children who don't live on the Island.
Nominations for prestigious King's award open

Nominations have opened this week for the highest honour that can be given to volunteer groups in the British Isles.
Onchan Commissioner says he reported alleged harassment over rumours to police

An Onchan commissioner says he wants to dispel rumours he's suspended from his civil service job for whistleblowing.
Oldest train carriage of its kind to return home to Island

The oldest surviving example of a historic train carriage is returning home after nearly half a century.
More Northern lights tonight - or just clouds and rain?

Manx weather could spoil the party tonight, after the northern lights were spotted in the early hours of this morning.
Laxey swimmers to live happily ever raft-er next year

Garff Commissioners say they've had to remove the swimming raft from Laxey earlier than planned - but it'll be back next year!