AN INSPIRATIONAL young girl from Anglesey has been nominated for an award at a North Wales Gymnastics ceremony taking place this weekend.

During the event to be held at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, on Saturday, Hanna Winiarska will be named on the ‘Disabled Gymnast of the Year’ shortlist - having been nominated by her friends at Bangor Gymnastics Club.

The 17-year-old from Llandegfan attends the club twice a week and, according to proud father, Wladek, it “always puts a big smile on her face.”

“She really enjoys going to the Gymnastics Club,” he said.

“Even when we are just driving past she cannot help but smile. It has helped her with rehabilitation, but also it has been beneficial as it has given her a chance to interact with others who are the same age as her.”

Hanna moved to Anglesey from Poland six years ago with her father, her mother Bogusia and younger sister Julia.

After being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, she paid regular visits to Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool for check ups.

During a routine procedure in 2017, Hanna’s heart stopped beating for an hour and although doctors managed to revive her, the incident left her unable to walk or talk.

Despite her daily battles, Hanna’s parents describe her as a “real fighter” who is making progress thanks to friends at the Bangor Gymnastics Club and help from other members of the community.

A JustGiving page set up by Hanna’s home school teacher, Paula Schleising-Chaplin, to help buy her a new wheelchair, has raised £2000 to date.

Members of Barachia Chapel in Llandegfan also donated £400 and the Holyhead Round Table gave £500. A joint effort from groups in the surrounding communities raised a further £820.

Hanna is due to have an operation at Alder Hay Hospital in Liverpool on Thursday and will miss the North Wales Gymnastics ceremony as a result.

However, dad Wladek says he is “proud” of Hanna for her determination and “grateful” to everyone who has supported her and her family so far.

“The support we have received has been amazing,” he added.

“We are not originally from around here, so to see the kindness of the people around us is incredible.

“We would like to thank everyone, from Hanna’s carers Lisa, Sinead and Erin to Mr Andreas Huws and everyone at Ysgol Y Bont (which she attends once a week) for supporting her.

“Paula has also been a massive help every day with everything and there are no words to describe how huge her support has been.

“Staff on the Dewi Ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd have also been great and so has Hanna’s close friend, Ela, who regularly visits her.”

Following her operation this week, Hanna’s family hope she will soon be well enough to travel to Tadworth in London to begin a three-month rehabilitation process.

During a stay at Alder Hay over Christmas, she met some of her beloved Liverpool FC players, who stopped by to take pictures with some of the children there.

To support the campaign to help Hanna, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/llan2llan