AN ARRAY of medals returned to West Fife after the Dwarf Sports Association UK's National Games event in Walsall.

Dalgety Bay youngster Molly Dawes, seven, came home with a haul of gold, silver and bronze awards after taking part in a range of events from running to throwing, cycling and swimming.

During the event, the Donibristle Primary pupil even got to rub shoulders with Paralympian Ellie Simmonds.

Proud dad Simon was delighted with his daughter's achievements.

"We have been doing these since she was two. She went firstly in 2017/18 and 2019 then COVID killed it and this was the return," he said.

"When we first found out Molly had achondroplasia, they put us in touch with DSA and when we got together, you realise it is not that unusual and get on with it and we got all these hints and tips.

"We all went down the last weekend of April and were standing on the sidelines cheering her on. She was very nervous to start with. She was winding me up telling me she was just going to walk but she won gold in the 10 and 20 metres dashes."

Inverkeithing mum Hailey Davidson – who is regional co-ordinator in Scotland for the Dwarf Sports Association UK – and her children, Finlay, 17, and Skye, 12, also returned with an impressive collection of medals from the Games.

"We all ended up doing really well. Finn got four golds and two bronzes, I got three golds and my daughter got three golds, two silvers and two bronzes. They loved it. We took a team of 18 athletes from across Scotland who travelled down with their families and competed in the Games.

"It was such an amazing experience. We had a lot of new attendees. Over lockdown, we have done quite a lot online and through Zoom. We had different people being reached so when we finally got the go-ahead and everything had calmed down, we knew it was going to be intense.

"If you have got dwarfism, you are potentially going to school being the only person with it so this event can really be huge for them and especially if they want to compete. If you play football at the school, you have not got a chance of getting the ball if your peer is taller and stronger but when you can get together and do it on an even playing field, you have got a competition."

Through her national role with the association, Hailey said efforts were now being focused on fundraising and organising for the World Games event which will be taking place in Cologne next year.

The Davidson family – and Molly – are all hoping to make the trip and participate.

"After the success of the Scottish region at the Nationals, we are buzzing with excitement and starting to organise Team Scotland so that as many as possible from Scotland have the opportunity to participate," added Hailey.

Fundraising has already started to help families attend – and purchase the necessary kit – and anyone wanting to help contribute can do so by visiting https://gofund.me/f71aca79.