A YOUNG disabled girl from Anglesey is a role model to others to "never give up" according to her proud parents.

Hanna Winiarska, 17, moved to Llandegfan from Poland six years ago with her mother Bogusia, father Wladek, and younger sister Julia.

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

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

Despite her daily battles, Hanna's parents say that she is a "real fighter" who is making progress thanks to her friends at the Bangor Gymnastics Club.

"We were first told that she would not be able to make any progress," father Wladek explained.

"Things are still hard for Hanna and for us of course as she requires 24 hour care. She can not speak or walk but she understands everything.

"Over the past few months, she has received a lot of help from a lot of people who are trying to make her life better and we are very grateful for that."

Hanna spent 18 months recovering in Alder Hey before she was able to return home to Anglesey earlier this year.

Her parents say that her two visits a week to the Bangor Gymnastics Club in Llandygai have helped her progress greatly and the support she is receiving has been "brilliant".

"The people of north Wales have been so generous with Hanna during her difficult journey," Bogusia said.

"We would especially like to thank Jane, Natasha and Maira of the gymnastics club who help her out twice a week, our neighbours here in Llandegfan and her teacher Paula Chaplin who visits us regularly at home."

Wladek says that Richard Hughes of the Rowlands Pharmacy company where he works had also been very helpful in allowing him to go and visit Hanna at Alder Hey whenever he needed to.

He added that Hanna's physio at Alder Hey, Nicola, and Ysbyty Gwynedd's Dr Mitesh Makanjee have also played key roles in his daughter's recovery process.

Hanna's grandmother has also made several trips from Poland to Wales to support her.

"Hanna is truly amazing, she goes about her everyday life still trying to be independent," Wladek said.

"Her progress is made even more possible by those who support her on a daily basis and so we would like to thank them.

"Our daughter is a real fighter and I think her journey over the past two years can be an inspiration to anyone to not give up."