BOURNEMOUTH woman Rachel Jury has bravely spoken out about what it's like to live with two stomas.

Now her courage in tackling a taboo subject has won her a major award.

The 31-year-old blogger and influencer won the Positive Role Model award in the National Diversity Awards for her campaigning work and support for people who live with a stoma, an opening in the abdomen to allow urine and other waste products to leave the body.

She started her blog, Rocking2Stomas, after serious illness triggered multiple organ failure.

Nearly 25,000 people were nominated in the awards and Rachel was one of 124 nominees recognised alongside freedom fighters, domestic violence campaigners and trans rights activists at the Liverpool ceremony.

“I was shaking – and totally shocked,” said Rachel, from Boscombe Spa Road, Bournemouth. “All the other winners had speeches prepared. I didn’t think I’d win so when my name was read out I was literally speechless. I just spoke from the heart.

“I thanked everyone who nominated me. I told the audience that this is a win for the whole ostomy community – it says you can live life to the full even if you have a stoma. It doesn’t have to hold you back.”