Spotlight on Force Awards: Young girl saved by members of Panteg Bowls Club

 

Seven people have received an award from Gwent Police after showing tremendous acts of bravery and human kindness to help those in need.

The Public Bravery Award recognises members of the public who have stepped in during dangerous or life-threatening situations or have supported officers in similar circumstances.

Among the winners at the ceremony, held in Maesycwmmer on Tuesday 26 November, were Rebecca and Lee McDonald who came to the aid of a man who had been stabbed.

The pair did all they could to help the man and to preserve life prior to the arrival of the emergency services without any hesitation or concern to their own safety.

Ground maintenance workers Dominic Walker and Ian Dudley were also recognised for their roles in assisting officers with an offender who became violent during an arrest.

The final award winners were Andrew Winstone, Ross Goodwin and Phillip Turner, who rescued, performed CPR and resuscitated a young girl who fell into a pond.

Back in 2022, the three Panteg Bowls Club members helped Grace who had fallen into the water at Fishponds Park and became unresponsive.

Hannah and Sam, Grace’s parents, had gone to the park with their two other children before Grace went missing from the family and after a search of the park, joined by bowlers from the club, she was later found in the pond.

"We've never been so terrified and heartbroken,” said Sam, "we instantly thought we'd lost our daughter.

“No parent ever imagines being in that scenario - seeing their child not breathing - and although we both know how to give CPR, we were both frozen with fear.

"If it wasn't for Ross, Andrew and Phil working on her and getting her heart beating again she wouldn't be with us today.

"The relief when one of the gentlemen said she's breathing we couldn't ever begin to describe, but in that moment, we were both incredibly thankful for such an act from complete strangers."

Phil, one of the three bowlers who helped get Grace breathing again, said: "My training and adrenaline kicked in. I took Grace and laid her down, checking for signs of life, and then started CPR. 

I asked Andrew to assist, and we carried on with CPR, thankfully after a short while Grace responded.

"Being a grandfather and great grandfather of children the same age I was suddenly hit with the enormity of what had happened and was obviously in shock - I broke down when relaying the event to my partner at home."

Grace was taken to hospital for treatment in Cardiff, where she was on life support, before she was transferred to Leicester for further care due to the severity of her condition.

After several weeks in hospital, her condition improved significantly allowing Grace to be discharged.

“Grace fought her hardest and miraculously she improved,” said Sam, "the doctors and nurses could not believe the little girl in front of them and how she had gotten through the ordeal and as quickly as she did.

"Grace has been left with a small change in her brain signalling, she had some brain damage. At the moment it's not having any effect on her and it may never.

"Only time will tell but she's currently living a very normal and happy life.

He added that Grace, now five, is an incredibly happy and bubbly little girl, who puts a smile on the face of everyone she meets with her infectious laugh and touch of sass.

Phil, Ross and Andrew kept in touch with the family so they could find out about how Grace was doing and were delighted to hear of her positive progress.

“The picture in my mind of her waiting to come home from hospital supersedes the devastating one of her laying in front of me desperate for my help,” he said.

“The award is totally unexpected, as I did what anyone else would have done in such a situation, but it is an honour to have been a part of saving the life of such a beautiful little girl.”

Thanking the three bowlers for their efforts in preventing every family’s worst nightmare, Grace’s parents added that their actions have allowed her brothers to still have a sister and allowed her other family and friends a lifetime of happiness because she's still here with us.

“Thank you or any other words we can give will never be enough,” Grace’s parents said.

“The actions of Andrew, Phil and Ross have allowed us to see our precious daughter with a new lease of life.

"You are the most extraordinary human beings there are and it's an absolute privilege to now know you and for Grace to have a hero in each and every one of you."