A YOUNG woman battling a life-limiting illness was made an MBE for her tireless work in educating others about the condition.

Lucy Watts, of Swans Green Close, Benfleet, lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition which affects connective tissues in skin, tendons, ligaments and bones.

The 22-year-old, who has been left in a wheel-chair, fights a daily battle against bouts of chronic pain and fatigue.

But even so, she uses social media and her website Lucy’s Light, to inspire other patients to make their lives count.

Lucy was shocked after being told of the MBE, and hopes her work will reach more people in the future.

She said: “It was only the day after I heard I was being made an MBE that it all sunk in what it meant – then I was shocked.

“My mum was shocked too and we were both speechless. She is so, so proud.

“I’m not sure who nominated me but I would like to thank them.”

When asked what inspired her, Lucy said she was scared of dying without making her life and other people’s lives worthwhile.

With her main focus on children’s palliative care, Lucy’s unwavering campaigning has helped influence lawmakers and government advisors by speaking in the House of Commons.

She will be recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Day honours list, tomorrow, for outstanding work in the community.

The award will come after the community rallied around to buy her a £22,000 life-changing wheelchair, which arrived on her birthday, in October.

She said: “This time last year I was in a really, really dark place.

“I’m a person who likes to do things.

“With the MBE and being able to use my wheelchair I feel like I’ve had a new lease of life.

“I can walk my dog and do more charity work now - it’s still exhausting though.”

To find out more about Lucy’s story, visit Lucy-watts.co.uk