A nine-year-old girl in Pembrokeshire who saved her mother from a near-fatal seizure has gone on to win an Epilepsy Star Award.

Gwen Harries came to the rescue when her epileptic mum Imogen suffered a seizure at home.

She called 999, helped emergency services enter the house and even put the dog in the kitchen to create more space.

Gwen Harries is just nine years old. Gwen Harries is just nine years old. (Image: Epilepsy Action) When her mother was having a seizure, Gwen called 999 and helped emergency services enter. When her mother was having a seizure, Gwen called 999 and helped emergency services enter. (Image: Epilepsy Action) Gwen has helped her mum with her seizures on more than one occasion. Gwen has helped her mum with seizures on more than one occasion. (Image: Epilepsy Action) Imogen said: “Gwen is one incredible girl. For her age, her understanding of epilepsy is remarkable. Gwen saved my life when I happened to have a seizure at home with her.

“When the officer came in, they had to get through the window as the door was on a chain. Apparently, Gwen told them: ‘Be careful! Don’t break my mum’s blinds’, but she was really calm.

“Gwen has so much kindness in her heart and would help anyone. Gwen, I am so proud of all you have achieved in the nine years you have walked this earth. I love you to infinity.”

Accepting her award, Gwen said: “It feels absolutely awesome! It doesn’t feel real at all! I want to pat myself on the back. It feels epic!”

However, this wasn’t the first time Gwen helped her mum cope with a seizure.

Imogen also had a seizure at Gwen’s school which prompted Gwen to call her dad before timing and counting the seizures.

Imogen added: “The teachers were taken aback at how calm she was and how she dealt with it. Gwen told me afterwards that none of the adults knew what to do.”

Imogen was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2022.Imogen was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2022. (Image: Epilepsy Action) When Imogen was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2022, she taught Gwen and her brother Reuben what to do if she had a seizure.

Imogen continued: “My epilepsy journey has been very emotional, and I still get overwhelmed with emotion when I think about it.

“But my partner and I sat down with them, and we were honest with them both. We explained what epilepsy was, how I would tell them if I was about to have a seizure or what to do if I wasn’t aware I was going to have one.

“I taught them basics of first aid for tonic-clonic seizures. They know to call 999 if they’re by themselves or if my seizure lasts longer than five minutes.”

One in every 100 people in the UK are affected by epilepsy and 80 people are diagnosed every day.

The charity Epilepsy Action strives to improve the lives of people with epilepsy by campaigning for better services and raising awareness of the condition.

Rebekah Smith, deputy chief executive at Epilepsy Action, said: “Gwen’s incredible knowledge of epilepsy is truly inspiring, and I’m sure people will feel inspired by her to learn more about the condition and how they can look out for others.”

For expert advice on epilepsy, call the charity’s freephone helpline on 0808 800 5050.