A YOUNG woman who is desperately hoping for a double lung transplant is fronting a campaign to raise awareness of a debilitating illness.

Kerry Thorpe, 21, of Kesgrave, features in a new video released by The Cystic Fibrosis Trust to mark Cystic Fibrosis week - which runs until May 5.

The inspirational woman was just six months old when she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and since then her life has become a cycle of medications and hospital visits.

But she has become a beacon of hope for others fighting the disease because of her determination to carry on battling CF with a smile on her.

The disease not only means that her lungs are functioning well below average levels, but has also caused her to suffer from CF-related diabetes, an enlarged liver with the beginnings of liver disease and weak bones.

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is one of the charities that will benefit from this year’s Ipswich and Suffolk Press Ball, which Kerry and fiance Josh Nelli are due to attend.

The event takes place on June 15 at the Suffolk Showground and R&B singer Lemar is set to entertain the crowds.

Sandra Howarth, East of England fundraising manager for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said: “We could not achieve so much if it wasn’t for the fantastic support of events such as the Ipswich Press Ball.

“In the East of England there are 496 people living with CF, of those 87 live in Suffolk, 46 of which are adults and 41 are children. Our vision is a world where lives are no longer limited by cystic fibrosis.

“Quality of life and life expectancy have improved, but CF still robs young people of the full lives they deserve.”

Proceeds from this year’s extravaganza will also be shared amongst air ambulance and a contribution will be made to the charities of the president of the Suffolk Show, Lord Deben.