An inspirational young girl who suffered life-threatening injuries in a car crash has been handed a special award for her fundraising efforts for the Wales Air Ambulance.
Gracie Kinnear suffered a catalogue of terrible injuries in the collision including broken ribs, a broken pelvis, lacerations to her liver, a shattered kidney, and a collapsed lung. She was placed into an induced coma as doctors and nurses battled to save her life, and for almost a week it was "touch and go" whether she would survive.
Fundraising success
Fast forward a couple of years and seven-year-old Grace from west Wales became the face of the flying medics' Christmas campaign in December last year when she helped raise more than £65,000 - enough to fund 18 combined air and road missions for the charity.
Now the remarkable youngster has been awarded a certificate of merit from the Child of Wales Awards 2026, collecting her award during a visit to the Wales Air Ambulance base in Dafen near Llanelli.
Family's gratitude
Mum Emma Kinnear said: "I received a phone call asking if we would like to visit during the school holidays. It always feels like home, so of course I said 'yes'. We had a wonderful welcome from everyone, and it was such a special moment when Gracie received her certificate. Her face lit up.
"We feel truly blessed; this really means the world to us. If you had told me several years ago that this is what the future would look like, I would never have believed you. If it wasn't for them [Wales Air Ambulance] my daughter most likely would not be here today."
Recovery journey
Following the serious road collision Gracie was rushed to Carmarthen's Glangwili Hospital where she was met by Wales Air Ambulance medics who had been dispatched in a rapid response vehicle. The medics gave the gravely-ill youngster specialist emergency care and a blood transfusion before she was taken to the University Hospital of Wales - with a second blood transfusion being necessary en route to Cardiff.
Upon arrival at the hospital, paediatric and major trauma teams took over Gracie's care. The youngster had suffered a collapsed lung, broken scapula, broken ribs, a broken pelvis, lacerations to her liver, and a shattered right kidney. She was placed into a coma, and it was "touch-and-go" for five days. Gracie also underwent surgery to reattach her ear and scalp to her head.
After being discharged from hospital the youngster required rehabilitation for two years, had to learn to walk and feed herself again, and had to wear a special suit to realign her body.
Emma said: "The journey has been long and hard; I had to change jobs to make sure that she got to all her appointments. She returned to school, which was a big achievement. She slowly learnt to walk again and feed herself.
"Her brother Chester has been incredible every step of the way. He encourages her so much and is her biggest champion."
Recognition and support
In honour of Gracie's special achievements one of the Child of Wales Awards sponsors, Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire, has invited her family to their resort for the day.
Speaking after the visit to the Dafen helicopter base Steven Stokes, Wales Air Ambulance's director of strategic communication and engagement, said: "It was a real privilege to welcome Gracie to Wales Air Ambulance and to present her with a certificate of merit on behalf of the Child of Wales Awards.
"Gracie is an incredible little girl, and her story has touched so many people. Her positive impact on people across Wales, at such a young age, is truly remarkable.
"It was also wonderful to meet her brother Chester, who has not only supported Gracie's fundraising, but has been by her side throughout her remarkable recovery. It was clear to see how proud her mum and dad are of them both – and that pride is shared by all of us at the charity."
He added: "I would like to thank the organisers and sponsors of the Child of Wales Awards for the important work they do to recognise and celebrate our nation's incredible young people - young people like Gracie, who inspire everyone around them."
