FOLLOWING the launch of this year’s Pride of Gwent awards earlier this month, we are taking a look back at some of the winners from last year.

The recipient of last year’s overall Pride of Gwent award was Dan Biddle.

Mr Biddle lost both legs, an eye and his spleen in the terrorist attacks of July 7, 2005.

South Wales Argus:

It was the worst single terrorist atrocity on British soil, killing 52 people and injuring many more.

Mr Biddle was standing next to a suicide bomber on the train that had just left Edgware Road station.

He said: “I woke up late and I missed my stop on the train, so I shouldn’t have even been there.

“The explosion blew me out of the train and took off my left leg, severed my right leg and I was trapped with part of the train on top of me.”

He spent eight weeks in a medically-induced coma.

There were multiple operations just to keep him alive and he lost 87 pints of blood.

He went on to spend 51 weeks and two days in a rehabilitation hospital.

Following the incident he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and a nervous breakdown. As a result of this he tried to kill himself three times.

His world changed when he met his wife Gemma, known as Gem, and he dedicated his award to her.

“The person I am now is because of the love, the support and the commitment from Gem,” he said.

“When we first met I was as broken as you can get, she never once gave up on me and dragged me through.

“Although I won the award I wouldn’t be here but for Gem.”

Mr Biddle has gone on to help others through his work to improve disability awareness in Gwent.

“As part of this work he volunteers his time to Gwent Police to train their officers to have a greater understanding of disability issues and disability hate crime.

As well as this Mr Biddle set up his own consultancy on accessible building projects and is currently studying for his law degree but says he wants to challenge perceptions of disability.

He added: “For me it’s about proving that disability doesn’t have to be the end. It’s challenging the idea that someone with a disability can’t work.”

There is still plenty of time for you to nominate someone who you think is deserving of recognition in this year’s Pride of Gwent awards.

Simply visit southwalesargus.co.uk/prideofgwent to nominate someone in this year’s awards, for free.

Nominations will close at 5pm on Friday, May 3.