A schoolgirl has been recognised for her incredible courage at the Child of Wales Awards after coming to the aid of her step-mum who was six months pregnant when she went into sudden labour.
In August 2023, Bella Laver was staying at her auntie’s apartment when she woke up to ‘sudden screams coming from the bathroom’.
The 12-year-old said: “It was such a shock! Josie was having the baby, my auntie was on holiday, and my dad was at work. So, I dialled 999 for help.”
It was an extreme situation for anyone to have to face, especially someone so young, but Bella calmly followed the instructions given to her by the call handler.
She provided critical support to Josie whilst she endured intense labour pains and guided her through Jac’s delivery.
Bella said: “The call handler told me that Josie needed to do CPR on the baby. So, I repeated everything that was said to me, to help her do that. I was doing all the counting for the rhythm of the heart.”
Josie says Bella was ‘extraordinary throughout’, trying to hold back her tears, she described how her stepdaughter ‘showed great courage, and strength beyond her years’.
She said: “Bella saw things she should never have had to see. It was horrible. I would never want to put something so hard on her at such a young age.
“Sadly, this has happened, but if it wasn’t for the way she responded and took action, calling 999, we would not have had the time we had with Jac.”
The Wales Air Ambulance rapid response vehicle was dispatched from Cardiff. Jac was transferred via road ambulance to the Grange University Hospital NICU in a Baby pod to keep him warm. The clinical team continuously monitored and treated him en route.
Bella says that day still feels like a blur, but the one thing she remembers is the ‘relief’ she felt when she saw the air ambulance team arrive.
She said: “A lady in a red suit walked towards me and gave me a big hug. I was so grateful that they were there and able to help Josie and Jac.”
Bella’s dad Dale arrived soon after. He said: “There were around fifteen people, the most we’ve ever seen inside the flat.
“The air ambulance team were incredible, they continued CPR, put Jac in a pod to keep him alive.
“The helicopter was on standby too, they said they were ‘ready to go’ if needed.”
The team managed to stabilise Jac at the apartment, in Newport, and then he and Josie were taken to hospital by road.
Jac and Josie were admitted to the Grange University Hospital. Dale said: “It is one of the hardest things we have been through. Once Jac made it to the hospital, we had around twelve hours with him.”
Jac’s heart was not strong enough and sadly his life support machine had to be switched off.
Dale said: “We got to spend some precious time with him, bathing him, Josie syringed breast milk, so she got to give something from herself to him. He was in her arms as he took his last breath.”
He added: “I want to say a big thank you to the Wales Air Ambulance for everything they did to help Jac and Josie.
“Those precious hours, I know it is only a short amount of time, but we got to hold him and feel him breathing, whether it was a machine or not, he would have been long gone without their help.”
The family admits the first six months after Jac’s passing were very difficult. But thanks to the incredible support’ of the 2Wish charity, Bella was able to return to school.
In April 2025, Josie and Dale welcomed the arrival of a baby girl. The family says, ‘Lottie has brought great joy’, and ‘Bella is a very proud big sister’.
Her resilience and strength continue to inspire everyone, including the team at Wales Air Ambulance.
Critical Care Practitioner, Jez James, was among the attendees at the Child of Wales Awards.
He said: “The Child of Wales Awards takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions. It was so touching to hear the stories of all those who were recognised on the night.
“It was very moving to watch Bella’s video and to see her on stage with her family. She is such a brave young lady, who made an important call when her step-mum needed her help.
“Her recognition is well-deserved; we wish her the absolute best for the future and hope her dreams of heading to Hollywood come true. She deserves every success!”
