Girl dances again after losing leg in lawnmower accident

After she lost a leg in a lawnmower accident, a dancer's devastated parents feared her dreams of performing were over, and she would spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.

While mum Nia Davies described it as "the most horrific injury possible", Alys, now 11, only had one thing on her mind.

Just one year after having her leg amputated, she was back on stage competing in her hometown of Ammanford, Carmarthenshire.

Alys has been nominated in the Young Hero category in the BBC Cymru Wales Make a Difference Awards 2025, with the final held in Cardiff on Saturday.

"She suffered the most horrific injury possible," recalls Nia.

"To be given the news... it was heartbreaking, it was shattering.

"But fortunately, Alys herself, from day one, was just determined."

It was on Father's Day 2022 that she was playing in the garden with her siblings, with her mother explaining: "For some reason, she came too close to the lawnmower."

Alys was just eight at the time, and was rushed to Swansea's Morriston Hospital for emergency surgery.

It was there that her parents were told that her leg would have to be amputated.

However, Alys, who they describe as their "little hero" remained positive and had very different ideas to the doctors who were treating her.

"They tried to say that she needed to be in a wheelchair," Nia added.

"But not Alys.

"She was ready and willing to get back on her feet.

"We're extremely fortunate."

Alys loves to dance and plays netball, and is determined to be as active as possible

Before she could get back on the dancefloor, though, Alys had to learn to walk again with with her new leg.

This meant regular visits to the prosthetics team at Morriston Hospital as she regained confidence, and she still visits regularly now for support.

Looking back, Alys says: "The first challenge was walking, and I did that.

"With some time, I learnt how to dance again.

"I overcame another challenge."

The following year, she returned to compete on the dance stage, and continues to do so now with school and local groups.

Alys' mother Nia has been in awe of her resilience and determination since the accident

While her family and doctors are awe-struck by Alys' resilience and positivity, she deflects praise on to the prosthetics team and those that have cared for her.

"Without the help, I probably wouldn't be where I am today," she said.

"I'm just thankful that they've helped me and that they've believed in me."

The 11-year-old is just as humble about her nomination, and the prospect of winning an award away from the dancing stage.

"I didn't even know I was nominated," Alys added.

"When they explained it to me, well, I felt happy, but I didn't know what to feel at the same time."