Tributes have been paid to an inspirational Carlisle woman, who lit up the lives of everyone she met.

Jodie Vasquez, from Currock, died on Saturday at the age of 25, surrounded by her family.

She had been living with the rare condition Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome since her diagnosis aged 15. The condition affects the collagen and connective tissues, and had left Jodie with multiple organ failure.

Despite this, those who met Jodie for the first time were often unaware of her illness, instead captivated by her welcoming smile and passion for the charities she supported.

She raised tens of thousands of pounds under the umbrella 'Jodie's Journey', helping support first the Sick Children's Trust, and latterly Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle.

Jodie was perhaps best known for her role as the city's Poppy Princess, actively supporting the Royal British Legion in its annual Poppy Appeal.

Margaret Wadsworth, from the Carlisle Poppy Appeal, said: "She was a brilliant ambassador and always did as much as she could to promote it, regardless of her health."

In recent weeks the family had been enjoying making precious memories together, which included Jodie meeting a 'unicorn'.

  • Full story and more tributes in Tuesday's News & Star