Mel Davies

Since a motorcycle crash at the age of 15 paralysed her, Melanie has won medals in athletics for Wales, dabbled with the film world, and worked in UK and American charities. A former Trustee of Wales Sports Centre for the Disabled, she set up weekly visits for patients from Rookwood Hospital to WSCD to use the modern equipment and help reintegrate them into the outside world. In 2001, while undergoing treatment for breast cancer Mel founded her own charity, TREAT Trust Wales, dedicated to providing a world-class well-being and rehabilitation centre in partnership with ABM Health Board on land reserved in Swansea. Her autobiography "Never Say Die" published in 2009 by HarperTrue describes in detail the highs and lows of life as a paraplegic with both pathos and humour. Her share of the proceeds is donated to TREAT. Despite a second breast cancer diagnosis in 2010, Mel continues to give inspirational talks and recently won the Joshua Foundation Memorial Prize and the Special Recognition Award at the Local Hero Awards of Swansea Sound Radio for her charity work. As her husband, I am proud to nominate her.