This is the heartwarming moment a North Belfast woman was brought home to her daughter after spending five weeks in hospital fighting Covid-19.

Margaret Carlisle, 78, from the Glencairn area, was brought to tears as she was met by her grandson Darryl at the hospital doors, as he waited to bring her home to her family.

Darryl Dickson, an Emergency Medical Technician, told Belfast Live that his granny was welcomed with cheers and open arms last night.

"Granny went to the Royal Hospital with a temperature and shortness of breath, all the classic signs and symptoms of Coronavirus," he said.

"She had a chest x-ray and it turned out she had pneumonia and then she got the diagnosis and was transferred to the City Hospital.

"Granny had to go on a special machine to keep her breathing, but it wasn't really working for her, she didn't really like it because she would be claustrophobic. The doctors basically told us that she wasn't going to make it out and we were just devastated.

"But in the next 24 hours she started to be more alert and to maintain her oxygen at a smaller percentage and then gradually just started to get better. It was a roller coaster of emotions thinking that she wouldn't get through this virus.

"My granny lives at home with her daughter who has Down's Syndrome and would be very independent. She takes care of her daughter alongside my mum, so when she fell ill it was pretty hard."

Margaret was welcomed by family and friends on Friday evening, and as she was brought to her daughter, 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was played out loud, bringing many gathered for her homecoming to tears.

Darryl said: "I surprised her yesterday while I was on shift. It was incredible. She was so shocked she started crying, she just couldn't believe I was there for her.

"Family, friends and our community have just been so supportive to us. It's just humbling. I work in the front line and have seen the bad side of this virus, so the reason we are sharing this is to give people that wee bit of fight and spirit.

"The staff in 9 North were just incredible too. They are my granny's heroes and also our heroes because they showed so much kindness and compassion towards my granny. Any time we called them, there was no hassle at all.

"We are all just so proud that granny has battled this virus, and really want people to see this. People need some hope. And this is that hope. My granny has underlying health conditions, but she still made it through.

"There was a point where we didn't think granny would pull through, because she did get quite ill, and are just so relieved that she was able to come home yesterday. It was a really great moment.

"And for me, I just have to thank the Ambulance Service, who allowed me to come with them to bring her home. Kenny, my crew mate did get emotional as he wheeled her up to her house. I asked him if he would agree to do it with me, so I have to just give huge thanks to him. Without Kenny I wouldn't have been able to do this for my granny."