A brave 11-year-old Southport girl who lost both legs and her right arm after a sudden illness was given a standing ovation as she was awarded a Sefton Child Of Courage Award.
Penelope Vidal-Walsh was accompanied by her parents Elizabeth Walsh and Ricardo Vidal to the 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards at The Grand in Southport, as they declared: “Penelope, you show us every day your strength, dedication, and resilience. I know you are going to achieve all your dreams and goals.”
The courageous 11-year-old, who attends Larkfield primary School in Southport, was presented with her Sefton Child Of Courage Award by Stephen Grayson from category sponsor Cooper Parry accountants.
A year after nearly losing her life, Penelope has been impressing everyone around her. She is learning to write again with her left hand, has gone back to school and is doing well with her rehabilitation.
Her next ambition is taking the first steps towards walking.
Penelope had gone to bed as normal on 10th April last year, but the next day she had deteriorated so quickly she was sedated and in intensive care.
Her proud Dad Ricardo said: “Penelope battled Meningococcal Septicaemia and several other infections during a seven month period in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.
“This led to her having a triple amputation of both her legs and right arm as well as countless skin grafts over her body meaning she was in and out of theatre over 40 times.
“She is now back at school and recently stood up on her stumps for the first time in her journey to walking again.”
Another nomination for her said: “Penelope has been so incredibly brave over the last 12 months after contracting Meningitis and losing both lower limbs and her right upper limb.
“She is learning to write again with her left hand and is smashing her rehabilitation and has returned to school after such a life changing event and deserves to get this award for being such an inspiration to others with her resilience and determination.”
Elizabeth Walsh and Ricardo Vidal said: “What an amazing night at the Pride of Sefton Awards.
“We had such a lovely night celebrating Penelope on her award for Sefton Child Of Courage.
“She shared her award with three other amazing children who have shown determination, courage, and bravery.
“The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards showed just how important community and support is, and it was a privilege to be in a room filled with so many incredible and inspiring people who really do go above and beyond to help others.
“Penelope, you show us every day your strength, dedication, and resilience. I know you are going to achieve all your dreams and goals.
“To all the incredible people who organise this event, you made my Penelope feel so special, thank you for giving us an opportunity to celebrate all the incredible things our community does.”
It’s been an incredibly tough year for the family.
Elizabeth and Ricardo said: “It’s a year since we rushed Penelope to A&E and were told of the severity of her condition.
“The impact of that, still now, is difficult to process. It’s hard to measure the extent of how much that trauma has affected us, especially Penelope.
“Having watched over her for months as she battled through every single thing thrown at her. “The unimaginable amount of pain she had to endure and how hard it was to see your child suffer. It’s complicated to look back, but important to remember.
“Our hearts will forever be filled with gratitude and love for the incredible people at Ormskirk A&E and Alder Hey Hospital, they saved the most important and precious person to us, thankfulness doesn’t feel powerful enough to do justice to them all.
“Not only did we witness the worst, but we also witnessed her strength, resilience, and courage.
“We were always left in awe of how much determination and strength she showed throughout her battle of fighting the meningococcal, sepsis, and in her recovery.
“To have watched since her discharge from hospital, how she has adapted back to her life, and how she has learned to adjust to her new way of living, has been extraordinary to witness.
“Hearing her laughter at her birthday party with her friends, watching her excitement at Christmas, and to every single conversation we’ve been lucky to have with her about her school life and friendships. It has never left us just how lucky we are to be able to experience these moments.
“Every prayer, every thought, and every single shred of hope that we clung to during those most difficult days will never leave us.
“Grateful beyond words that we got through this, thankful to be on this journey with her, as she enters new chapters of her life.
“A few weeks ago Penelope took her first steps. She’s determined to walk again, and we know she will, because we know her strength, and she is the strongest girl we’ve ever seen.
“We thought as a family we’d share this part of her story, to take back a date that will always be tainted with trauma and make it one of happiness and hopefulness, so when we look back on today on here we’ll see this memory of her walking for the first time.”
The 2026 Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards celebrated selfless, talented and courageous people across 13 categories at The Grand in Southport on 24th April 2026.
The Main Award was won by Queenscourt Hospice founder Dr Karen Groves MBE.
The evening was hosted by former Sky Sports News presenter Fraser Dainton with VIP guests including HM Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside Peter Oliver OBE and Mayor of Sefton Cllr Burns.
Funds were raised on the night for the ICU Steps charity, which supports patients in intensive care and their families.
The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards are organised by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport in association with media partners In Demand Radio with support from Southport BID.
There are 13 categories including Child of Courage, School Of The Year, Community Impact, Charity Champion and more, plus the Main Award.
Next year’s event takes place on Friday 30th April 2027.
To submit your nomination for next year’s awards visit: Pride Of Sefton Awards
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