Lifesaver Geri Halliwell

Mar 11, 2008, 12:35 GMT

Geri Halliwell - © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos

Geri Halliwell helped save the life of a young girl after singing to her.

The Spice Girl made a surprise visit to the hospital bed of 14-year-old Jessica Knight, who had been in a coma for six days after being stabbed 30 times as she walked home.

Jessica - who also suffered a stroke as a result of her injuries - hadn't moved but as soon as Geri started singing, it triggered her long road to recovery.

Jessica's mother, Jill Walmsley, said: "Geri sang a couple of lines from one of the Spice Girls' songs and Jessica started moving her arms and legs. It was amazing. We were all in fits of giggles because we were so relieved and it was just so funny seeing her legs move to Geri' singing.

"The next day, she opened her eyes for the first time."

Geri's visit to Manchester Children's Hospital happened after a family member got in touch with the Spice Girls as they were performing in the city in January, the same month the attack took place.

Jill said when Jessica - who had been due to see the band two days after she was stabbed - finally woke up, she refused to believe one of her idols had come in to see her.

Jill recalled to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "I only found out Geri was coming 30 minutes beforehand. You just don't expect to be sitting in the hospital and for Geri Halliwell to walk in. She gave me a big hug and said that Jessica's story had really touched her.

"It's just a shame Jessica can't remember anything about it - when I told her Geri had been to visit her, she looked stunned and said, 'No way!' Luckily, Geri left her a wristband from the Spice Girls concert as proof."

Jessica is now in good health and is hoping to return home soon.

(C) BANG Media International