A BRAVE Worcester schoolgirl who won awards for her courage after a life-threatening road accident can now add sport to her list of achievements.

McAyla Johnston, of Foxwell Street, off London Road, has made it through to the disability sports events national junior athletics championships in Blackpool after acheiving the qualifying standard in the javelin, shot putt and discus events.

On Saturday, May 15, McAyla competed in the West Midlands regional disability athletics championships at the Alexandra stadium, in Birmingham after just a month of training and went on to win gold in the shot putt.

McAyla, who was always keen on sports before her accident, started practising the sports to see which one she preferred, but ended up choosing all three.

She now has a three-year sponsorship deal with company Nullifire who will provide the funding for new equipment, sports wear and travel expenses to events and competitions.

As previously reported in your Worcester News, McAyla was left in a critical condition aged 11 after she was knocked down by a car on London Road while trying to get to the Tesco Express store on Sunday, September 7, 2008 – the day before she was due to start secondary school.

The accident was a prime factor in the decision to install a new crossing at the spot.

Although she made a miraculous recovery, McAyla still suffers from symptoms related to brain injury, such as memory loss, and has to walk with the aid of a stick.

Dad Dave Lamb said that although McAyla had always loved “activeness”, he was in awe of his daughter’s achievements since the accident.

He said: “She just amazes me completely. There just aren’t the words any more. I couldn’t tell you what would happen next, she keeps going. I’ve stopped trying to put a limit on how far she can go.”