After what has been a very tough year for everybody, we were all looking forward to some sort of normality in tonight's Late Late Toy Show.
The annual event is a long established Irish institution, one that is a big event in households throughout the country.
While there were of course some challenges in this year's show, RTÉ managed to bring us one that was as close as possible to the show we all know and love. The toys, the musical numbers, and the inevitable mishaps were all on show.
However, the highlight of the night was Saoirse.
She captured the hearts of the nation with her story on the show tonight, telling her heartbreaking story. She lost her leg earlier this year after a tumour was found, but has shown incredible bravery to mount her recovery.
Not only did she raise enough money to help her family pay for her recovery and the prosthetic legs that Saoirse will need as she continues to grow up, but they also gave all the excess cash raised to the organisations who had helped her through the difficult period in her life.
When she was sick, Saoirse had three wishes. The first was to recover from her operation and walk again, which she did in front of the nation tonight. The second was to appear on the Late Late Toy Show, which was also ticked off the list.
Her third wish was to travel to Disney World in Orlando with her family, with Ryan Turbridy surprising her with tickets to Florida. Saoirse's mother soon came onto the stage and it was hard not to feel incredibly emotional.
Unsurprisingly, the entire nation had fallen in love.
Lovely to see one of our virtual fundraisers, Saoirse Ruane, appearing on the #LateLateToyShow tonight 💛
Saoirse is an 8 year old cancer survivor and all round legend. Congrats Saoirse and enjoy Disney World 🌈 pic.twitter.com/d7yl1JHGoM— Irish Cancer Society (@IrishCancerSoc) November 27, 2020
What an inspiration. Saoirse ...beautiful
Perspective #Saoirse. #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/kV9O9Yj7eT— Dr. Eddie Murphy (@dreddiemurphy) November 27, 2020
Hi @RTELateLateShow & @AerLingus if you let us know when Saoirse and her family are traveling we would be delighted to offer them complimentary use of our Platinum Services VIP facility. #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/mSe1d5BGMX
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) November 27, 2020
Gorgeous beautiful girl, so brave - this year has been a lot tougher for her and her family - hope she gets to Disneyland soon ❤️ #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/YAPJ92b6D3
— Norah Casey (@NorahCasey) November 27, 2020
Oh God. I'm gonezo.
What an angel.
😭#LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/zOgoe9E0Rt— 📻 Ed Smith 📻 (@EdTodayFM) November 27, 2020
What an amazing girl saoirse is. Her story and bravery really puts everything into perspective. ❤❤#LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/BbssQBHOeT
— ᒍEᖇ ᗪI᙭Oᑎ (@JeremyDixonDJ) November 27, 2020
Saoirse putting EVERYTHING in perspective.#LateLateToyShow
— RTÉ 2FM (@RTE2fm) November 27, 2020
Me watching and listening to Saoirse talk #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/H5dsEjYrF5
— Shauna xo (@ShaunaForan1) November 27, 2020
#LateLateToyShow
I've something in my eye... pic.twitter.com/A8WPUPFQFs— Dara Brady (@darabrady8) November 27, 2020
Protect Saoirse at all costs #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/E7dmtHNxIW
— rosie (@ro_curran) November 27, 2020
Have you ever seen a more beautiful little girl than Saoirse? An inspiration to all of us. #LateLateToyShow ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6HTcZ7hJdE
— Maureen Catterson (@MoCatterson) November 27, 2020
Me listening to Saoirses story then get her family holiday 😭😭 #latelatetoyshow pic.twitter.com/aTDA9gblOY
— Paddy Lawless (@therealpaddylaw) November 27, 2020
Incredible.
A little bit of perspective when it was needed most.
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