Maldini's magic

If the cockles of your heart need warming, have a listen to this Belfast Telegraph story. Aquinas Grammar School pupil Gemma McMullan has been smitten with Italian footballing god Paolo Maldini ever since she saw him do his thing at the 1994 World Cup. Her bedroom is a shrine to auld doe eyes, and when she saw a competition advertised with a signed Maldini shirt as first prize her knees went all wobbly. She entered, but didn't win. Gutted.

But what should arrive through her door on the eve of her 18th birthday last week? A signed Paolo Maldini shirt. According to the Telegraph, "news of her disappointment reached Maldini via the sportall.com website" and so he saw to it that she got the shirt off his back. "Gemma, a keen showjumper, won't have to clear any big fences this weekend - she's already over the moon," as the Telegraph put it. Altogether now: aaaah, bless.