Lego: Disabled Sussex girl says new toys are amazing

Sofia, aged eight, felt like her favourite Lego toys did not represent her

A disabled girl who wrote to Lego asking for better representation in their toys said a new figure with a limb difference was "amazing".

Eight-year-old Sofia from Sussex was born without a left hand, and said she felt unrepresented by the toys.

The firm is releasing a new range of toys featuring diverse characters, and surprised Sofia with an announcement on BBC Breakfast.

A Lego designer said the new toys were made "to represent the real world".

Before she found out about the new toys, Sofia told BBC Breakfast: "You don't feel like you're represented and there's no-one like you in these toys."

Fenella Charity, design director at Lego Friends, said the firm had spent two years planning the new range.

Ms Charity said her team was "inspired" by Sofia's letter, as well those from other children across the world.

"It makes what we're doing real," she said.

"In the design team, when we see these letters that have been crafted so carefully by the children that write them, it's really inspiring to us, and definitely makes us inspired to make a difference."

The updated range features characters with new skin tones, cultures, physical and non-visible disabilities and neurodiversity.

The new range of toys were made to "represent the real world"

Sofia's mother, Jessica, said her daughter wrote to Lego because she wanted to feel "just like any other child".

"We've always talked about difference and that bodies come in different shapes and forms and sizes and colours," Jessica said.

"Especially with Sofia having the limb difference that she does, it's important for us to always be open and honest and talk about things, so she knows it's not something to shy away from or to be worried about."

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