A brave seven-year-old girl who was born with a severe heart condition has sparkled alongside a star musician in switching on world-famous Christmas lights.

Having been cared for by Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) since she was just one-day-old, brave Emily Mullen united with award-winning singer-songwriter Tom Grennan in commencing the festive season in the capital.

The switch on of this year’s Oxford Street Christmas lights in London, in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity). Photo credit: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsThe switch on of this year’s Oxford Street Christmas lights in London, in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity). Photo credit: David Parry/PA Media Assignments (Image: PA)

They ensured the Oxford Street Christmas lights sparkled at a special switch-on event that saw more than 300,000 brilliant white stars illuminate Europe's longest shopping street for the first time.

General views of the switch on of this year’s Oxford Street Christmas lights in London, in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity). Photo credit: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsGeneral views of the switch on of this year’s Oxford Street Christmas lights in London, in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity). Photo credit: David Parry/PA Media Assignments (Image: David Parry/PA Media Assignments) Emily, from Lowestoft, spent the first three months of her life at GOSH after being rushed to the London hospital when she was only a day old in March 2017.

After undergoing open heart surgery at only seven days old, when Emily was later transferred back to her local hospital with her family they were told she only had 24 to 48 hours to live.

And then in January 2022 Emily suffered a cardiac arrest and ended up on life support as she faced complications from having life-changing open heart surgery.

Emily Mullen is starring in a brand new campaign for the GOSH Charity. Picture: The Mullen familyEmily Mullen is starring in a brand new campaign for the GOSH Charity. Picture: The Mullen family (Image: Submitted) Having been diagnosed with a long list of medical conditions, including severe sight loss, problems with her kidneys, and multiple conditions that GOSH continue to support her with, the battling youngster has continued to bravely defy all the odds.

Despite being diagnosed terminally ill at birth she is now 'life-limited'.

With GOSH's ongoing support brave Emily and her family have thanked doctors for all their "amazing" care as she appears in adverts across London and the south east promoting the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.

Tom Grennan and Emily Mullen at the switch on of this year’s Oxford Street Christmas lights in London, in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity). Photo credit: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsTom Grennan and Emily Mullen at the switch on of this year’s Oxford Street Christmas lights in London, in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity). Photo credit: David Parry/PA Media Assignments (Image: David Parry/PA Media Assignments)

And there was another unique honour for the battling youngster - as she joined singing sensation Tom Grennan in switching on Oxford Street's Christmas Lights in partnership with the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.

Tom Grennan and Emily Mullen at the switch on of this year’s Oxford Street Christmas lights in London, in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity). Photo credit: David Parry/PA Media AssignmentsTom Grennan and Emily Mullen at the switch on of this year’s Oxford Street Christmas lights in London, in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity). Photo credit: David Parry/PA Media Assignments (Image: David Parry/PA Media Assignments)

Emily said: "The best bit about turning on the lights was when I was with Tom Grennan and everyone did the countdown."

She said she likes the lights because: "They’re bright and shiny and shaped like stars".

She added that her favourite thing about Christmas is: "Getting to meet Father Christmas."

This week, Emily's carer and mum Val Mullen said: "When she was a baby, I was told she wouldn’t make Christmas, so it’s a very special time of year for us.

"It was a whirlwind, magical 24 hours.

"Emily just lights up when she has love around her and everyone was so lovely with her.

"Switching on the lights was just magic for Emily and us."

In posts on his social media pages, Mr Grennan said: "Honoured to turn on the iconic Oxford Street Christmas lights with Great Ormond Street Hospital and Charity patient Emily to kick off Christmas in London and support this amazing charity!"

Show your support

With Oxford Street having partnered with the GOSH Charity to inspire visitors to spread a little festive joy, people are being urged to donate to the charity to support seriously ill children at the hospital this Christmas.

Funds raised this festive season will help staff at GOSH bring joy to the wards and create magical memories. It will also help fund support services like free accommodation so loved ones can be there from the 5am stocking unwrapping to bedtime stories on Christmas night.

Visit gosh.org/Christmas for further details.