Paul O'Grady's Little Heroes: Episode one

Paul meets brother and sister, Emily and Luke (age 8 and 5), from North London, who both have cystic fibrosis. Paul also catches up with plastic surgeon consultant, Neil Bulstrode, who talks about how he has helped 13-year-old Mackenzie (pictured above), who is at the hospital to have his ear reconstructed after being born with microtia.

"It’s been a struggle," says 13-year-old Mackenzie. "After this operation I’ll feel better."

Mackenzie has microtia, which is when you are born with a small or absent ear. Now, he is ready for his surgery to reconstruct his ear at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Read Mackenzie's story

Emily and her little brother Luke were both born with cystic fibrosis – a life-long genetic condition where their bodies overproduce mucus that fills up their lungs and complicates other organs. They have been regularly attending GOSH ever since they were born. Their mum, Juliet, shares their story…

Visit the charity site to read about Emily and Luke and find out more about how the charity supports the hospital

Lara, aged nine, was previously diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) which is a potentially life-threatening blood disease. She features in the first episode where she is interviewed alongside her specialist nurse, who helps to talk Paul through her story.

Thanks to chemotherapy treatment and a successful bone marrow transplant at GOSH, Lara is now free of the condition. However, her growth is impaired and she is smaller than other children her age.

Lara continues to visit the hospital for treatment. She loves drama, music, singing and playing the violin.

Ten-year-old Emmanuel, a patient on Sky Ward, can be seen in the first episode giving Paul a tour, followed by him having his plaster decorated by the Plaster Technicians.

Emmanuel has a neuromuscular congenital myopathy which has caused fixed flexion on both knees. He went to surgery to help with the gradual correction of his knees and to potentially help him walk.

He is now on a bilateral long leg cast with his knees in extension and has started to walk with intensive physio and the help of his team.

Mr Neil Bulstrode has worked as a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at GOSH since April 2006. As well as ear reconstruction surgery, Neil also performs nasal reconstruction and craniofacial reconstruction. Neil features throughout the series.

Watch Neil at work

As the hospital's Roald Dahl Clinical Nurse Specialist, Anna Jewitt looks after children with conditions that are so rare, they don’t have a name.

“Before I did this job, I didn’t know how many children there are without a diagnosis," she says.

“I think it’s really important that awareness is raised for these families because they often feel that people don’t understand them at all.”

Read more about Anna's work

Helen is a Ward Sister on Elephant Ward, who introduces Paul to the hospital.