Chloe Russell, 20, has been described by her proud parents as "fierce"

A woman who has spent her life in and out of hospital will use her 21st birthday celebrations to help other young people with long-term illnesses.

Chloe Russell, from Grantham, has neurofibromatosis type 1, an incurable genetic condition that causes tumours to grow on her nerves and skin. She is also registered blind and uses a wheelchair.

In September, she will host a gala ball at Kelham Hall, near Newark, to raise money for the Make-A-Wish UK charity.

Chloe said: "I'm massively looking forward to it. It's all about having fun, it'll help me forget about my medical problems and raise money for an amazing cause too."

According to Chloe's parents, their daughter had "more or less lived in hospital" since the age of five and had a "particularly tough year".

Chloe organised a similar ball in 2019 after undergoing dozens of brain surgeries and missing nearly a year of school.

Her father, Pete, has been tasked with decorating her wheelchair to help her be the belle of the ball.

"There's going to be lots of glitter, I'll be festooning it with lights and anything else I can fit on it," he said.

"She'll look amazing when she's on the dancefloor. Chloe is fierce and the pride we have for her is completely unbounded."

In the run-up to her latest fundraiser, Chloe said one of the biggest decisions would be choosing the colour of her ballgown, but her mum, Paula, said it would be a bittersweet moment.

"We love shopping together, but it hurts when she can't go and try dresses on like she has done previously," said Paula.

"We're learning to adapt and we'll make sure she looks absolutely stunning on the night.

"She is the reason I get up every morning and she takes my breath away."

Chloe has previously shaved her head to raise money for charity and held sponsored walks before she needed a wheelchair.

The 20-year-old said the proceeds of her latest event would give other young people "memorable experiences" after she was given a two-night stay in Manchester by Make-A-Wish UK.

Chloe added: "It was out of this world and more than I could ever imagine. I made special memories with my parents and it's something I'll never forget."

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