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Privacy NoticeLittle Aiyla Mota’s infectious smile filled the room when Alesha Dixon, judge on Britain’s Got Talent, surprised her with the fantastic news that she had won a Pride of Britain Child of Courage award. The brave five year old, who underwent amputation of both legs and five fingers in March 2023 due to sepsis, was visiting the BGT auditions in Blackpool this week with her mum, Eulanda. After being given a tour of the TV set-up, Alesha presented her with a magical golden envelope. An excited Aiyla told The Mirror: “I was so excited!” Meanwhile her mum, Eulanda, 28, added: “When we first heard we were going to Blackpool, I told her we were going on a night away. I didn’t mention anything else. She loves hotels, so was looking forward to it.
Alesha Dixon surprised a Pride Of Britain winner while at the Britain’s Got Talent auditions in Blackpool
(Image: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
“I told her we were doing some filming and she said ‘I love filming’. When we got there, we put our bags away and the crew took us away for the ‘surprise’.” She continued: “They gave us a backstage tour of BGT, which Aiyla was excited about. We went through to the main stage, which is when Alesha Dixon came out,” reports the Mirror. Alesha, the singer and BGT judge, had visited Aiyla in hospital in 2023 after she was diagnosed with sepsis following what initially seemed like a common childhood infection. However, when Aiyla started experiencing stomach pains and her breathing worsened, Eulanda rushed her to A&E. Sign up to OK’s TV newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
Alesha surprised Aiyla during a backstage tour of Britain’s Got Talent
(Image: Getty Images)
Tragically, antibiotics had no effect when Eulanda’s daughter, Aiyla, fell gravely ill with sepsis and a strep A infection. Her condition was so severe, it resulted in multiple organ failures. After three grueling weeks in an induced coma in intensive care, doctors gave Eulanda the heartbreaking news that amputations were necessary to save Aiyla’s life. Aiyla returned home just before her fourth birthday and, defying all odds, Aiyla started school three months later, retaining her infectious personality through it all. Despite initial fears, Eulanda has witnessed her daughter’s resilience shine.
Aiyla had been watching the BGT auditions when Alesha paid her a surprise visit
Londoner Aiyla has rehab, physiotherapy and occupational therapy and is able to use prosthetic legs. She has also adapted to losing the sight in one eye due to the sepsis. After Alesha revealed Aiyla had won the award, she was even given the opportunity to press the red buzzer. Now mum and daughter are looking forward to attending the star-studded Pride of Britain ceremony on Monday, 21 October to collect the award in person.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnAlesha DixonBritains Got TalentPride of Britain Awards
