The last time I'd seen Alix Stewart she was being rushed away on a trolley by two paramedics.

She was one of the victims of the Glasgow bin lorry crash and I had given her first aid at the scene of the accident, as we reported here

Although I suspected I wouldn't meet her again, she was never far from my thoughts, particularly on Christmas Day.

Early on Boxing Day morning, Colin Stewart, Alix's father, phoned me at work to ask if I was the woman who had helped his daughter.

To hear that Alix was - is - on the mend was the best Christmas present I could have had.

In the hope that the wider media would leave them to care for Alix in private, her parents asked if I would tell their story.

On Tuesday this week, I met 14-year-old Alix for a second, happier time and was amazed by the progress and strength of the youngest victim of the crash last Monday in Glasgow's George Square.

Colin and her mother, Jacqueline, spoke of their pride in their "wee fighter", who sustained broken bones and organ damage but has already astounded her family by taking her first steps.

Mrs Stewart said: "It is amazing how well she is doing considering how she was last week.

"We were so happy on Monday when she managed to sit up and watch a film with us but we couldn't believe it when the physiotherapist called us in to see her on her feet.

"She managed about 50 yards and, I have say, there were tears of joy."

Alix, a third year pupil at Gryffe High School in Renfrewshire, was in the City Centre for Christmas shopping with Mrs Stewart and sister Emily, 16.

She left them to go and meet two friends at the Duke of Wellington statue on Queen Street.

Just minutes later, the out-of-control bin lorry swerved onto the pavement, hitting the three girls, before continuing along Queen Street.

Alix's friend called Mrs Stewart to tell her what had happened but when she arrived at the scene her daughter was not there.

Mrs Stewart, from Kilmalcolm, said: "When Alix's friend phoned and said there had been an accident with a rubbish truck I assumed it was one of those little street sweepers.

"I couldn't understand why there were so many emergency vehicles and so much fuss.

"When I realised what had happened I just had to bite down the panic because I had Emily with me.

"We were told Alix was in one of the first ambulances going to the Royal Infirmary but we didn't know for sure."

Unknown to mother and sister, Alix had been hit head-on by the truck and became caught up underneath it.

She was dragged along Queen Street before being left at the junction with St Vincent Street.

Meanwhile, dad Colin, who had heard about the crash on the radio, was frantically calling Alix's phone to try and find her.

Mr Stewart added: "I think I called Alix's phone about 30 times. You just expect your daughter to answer.

"When she didn't I turned the car and headed straight to Glasgow Royal Infirmary."

When her parents arrived at the hospital they were given just minutes to see her before she was taken away for three hours of treatment.

At around 6pm she went to theatre for operations that would take six hours and involve four different specialist surgeons.

She had several broken bones, including collar, rib and thigh, severe kidney damage, liver damage, severe grazing to her back and her ear had been torn off.

Following the operations, Alix spent 24 hours in intensive care on a ventilator before being moved to the high dependency ward.

Despite suffering flashbacks to what she had experienced, the Stewarts say Alix has been incredibly brave.

A talented basketball player, who recently earned a place on the Scotland under-15 basketball team, her mum and dad believe her physical fitness has also helped her through.

Mr Stewart said: "Alix is usually fit as a fiddle and I think the fact she was so fit before has really helped her.

"But she has also just been so brave, despite what she remembers about the accident. She's very close to Emily and that has helped her but she's just remarkable.

"She is strong. She is a brave wee fighter."

Mr Stewart added: "Alix is slowly piecing together what happened to her. At first she didn't have many memories but things are coming back to her in flashes.

"As you can imagine, this is very difficult for her. She is a very smart cookie and mature for her age but you must remember she's only 14.

"She is very, very close to her big sister and is able to talk to Emily about things, which is a comfort.

"But she's not able to talk publicly about what happened just yet and, as a family, we would very much hope that our privacy is respected while we give Alix the support she needs to heal."

As well as having her family around her, including older brother Kyle, 18, Alix has received support from her team-mates at Lady Rocks in Cumbernauld, and from her Gryffe High school friends and teachers.

Her hospital room is full of cards, teddies and flowers from people sending love and support.

Doctors say she will be in the Royal Infirmary for at least another week and it may be around six months before she can play basketball again.

Mr Stewart added: "The medical staff have been amazing, just incredible, and we can't thank them enough.

"We also want to say a big thank you to the people who were with her at the time of the accident.

"Of course, our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost someone.

"We realise how lucky we are and how lucky Alix is."