A SPECIAL programme will be aired this month on S4C to honour and celebrate some of Wales’s bravest children and young people. Two of the stars of the show will be Cwmtrwch woman Andrea Smith and 16-year-old Frances Watkins from Cwmgwili.

During the programme, viewers will have a unique insight into the lives of Andrea and others, special individuals who have been through the hardest of times but have shown so much courage throughout their darkest days.

But now it’s an opportunity for their dreams to come true as Elin Fflur and Rhodri Owen give them a surprise of a lifetime, either in dance classes, at school or even at a “Sweet Sixteen” party.

Andrea set up a football academy for children with autism as her son, Steffan, lives with the condition and the academy is by now changing the lives of children with autism in South Wales.

And Andrea’s achievements have already been recognised, having been named Inspirational Woman of the Year on the programme, Lorraine, last autumn.

Andrea says: “Steffan loved football but because of his needs he was unable to cope with playing in the league. The Academy has just won its first tournament - and we have also started a youth club on the training night to give the young people basic skills.

“It’s been a long journey and I’ve learned a lot along the way but it has given me so much pleasure - and of course I’m really proud of Steffan’s success who has come with me every step of the way.”

Given her interest in football, you can see what happened when Andrea got her hands on one of her heroes’ Joe Allen’s football shirt, and follow her as she visits one well known address in London.

As a result of lack of oxygen in the womb Frances Watkins was born with Cerebral Palsy and will go for long periods without speaking.

Her condition does not stop her from living a full and varied life and recently Frances created history as the first girl in a wheelchair to win a beauty pageant in Britain.

Her mum, Marie Watkins said: “Frances loves Disney films - so for the beauty pageant she dressed as one of her favourite characters, Belle from the Beauty and the Beast. But more than that, as part of her pageant campaign, she collected money for Cancer Research. That is very typical of her, always thinking what she can do to help others.”

Frances’ hero is former Wales and Lions captain, Sam Warburton and viewers be able to see what happened when she came face to face with her hero in the programme.

Presenter Elin Fflur said: “What was common for all of them was that they have all faced extremely difficult situations and it would have been very easy to become completely disheartened. But these young people are very special indeed, facing their conditions with courage and with a smile.”