Family put call out to Niall for Facetime chat with Symone

A local family has put a public call out to Mullingar's musical superstar Niall Horan to see if he can make a young girl's dream come true.

In the summer of 2020, Symone Rowley was diagnosed with the rare spinal condition transverse myelitis, which has left her paralysed from the shoulders down. Since being diagnosed with the life limiting condition, Symone has endured a number of setbacks.

The last year and half have been exceptionally challenging for Symone and her family and the road ahead is far from certain.

Symone's grandmother Rosaleen rang the Westmeath Examiner to see if we would help her put a call out to Mullingar's most famous son.

She said that 12 year old Symone has been a huge fan of Niall since his One Direction days. While the Rowley family are very aware of that Niall has a busy schedule and many commitments, she said that contact from her hero would help lift Symone's spirits at this very difficult time.

“She absolutely loves him. If he could Facetime her and say hello, it would be great,” Rosaleen said.

Symone has already made a serious impression on one of Ireland's most famous men. In November 2020, She was given the honour of turning on Grafton Street's Christmas lights from Temple Street Children's Hospital.

The day after Ryan Tubridy was full of praise for Symone on his radio show.

"As streetlight turning-on goes, she was a princess among princes and princesses. It was a remarkable performance, because without her, we wouldn't have had the lights, and the brightness, and the sparkles.

"So thank you, Symone, for bringing that lovely light to our lives on the news last night,” he said.