'Fireball' Heidi in line for top award

Brave Heidi Child miraculously survived the petrol attack at her Sidley home, and went on to grab life with both hands - working at a Hastings store, volunteering as a police special constable and learning to drive.

Heidi, 29, suffered 40 per cent burns after being doused in petrol and set alight by evil Christopher Kelly, later jailed for 12 years for the unprovoked attack back in 1997.

She was left temporarily wheelchair-bound and it took five years and 70 skin grafts operations to recover. But Heidi was determined not to hide away.

Heidi, who is permanently scarred from head to waist, said: "I know lots of people say it, but I can quite honestly say that I have had the best time of my life since I got this job.

"I feel so much more confident now, that I want to try so many different things.

"And I have never had so many friends, even before the attack.

"I won't pretend there haven't been some difficult days, where ignorant people have refused to be served by me.

"But they are the minority, and are far outweighed by the kindness so many people have shown me.

"I couldn't have got to where I am now without them and the incredible support of my mum, dad, sister and brother.

Sainsburys manager Maria Benford, said: "It has been a great pleasure to see Heidi overcome all her fears and anxieties and return so successfully to work.

"She is extremely well liked by customers and colleagues alike and continues to blossom.

Heidi, now of Mountfield, will attend the Tomorrow's People awards bash with dozens of other brave hopefuls from the South East on Wednesday at Battle Abbey.

She was short listed by the charity, which helps the long-term unemployed back to work, for the achievement against adversity award, for her courage and tenacity in overcoming major barriers to find a job.

If Heidi wins her category she will be invited to a national final in London.

Rosemary Bryant, Tomorrow's People Senior Employment Adviser, said: "Heidi is an absolute inspiration.

"I can't even begin to imagine what she has been through, but despite it all she wanted to get out of the house and start working again.

"Her courage and positivity is quite humbling and I knew that if we could just show on paper what an incredible young woman she is, she would shine at interview. And she did."