A TEENAGE girl who lost her hands and toe tips as a baby has received a special award.

Tilly Lockey, 13, from Consett, suffered Meningococcal Septicaemia B when she was 15 months old.

She was given no chance of surviving but defied the odds and won her fight.

The plucky youngster recently attended the Northern Children of Courage Awards, which celebrate the achievements of children and young people who have overcome barriers, achieved something extraordinary or helped and supported others.

Mark Beverley, from the St James’s Place Charitable Foundation, which organised the ceremony at The Hilton Hotel in Gateshead on Friday, said: “I’m very proud of each and every one of them and they thoroughly deserve their award.”

“When you see the level of courage and determination shown by these young people it makes you feel very humble.

“They are an inspiration to us all.”

Tilly has dedicated her life to raising awareness of Meningitis and has never let anything get in her way.

She set herself the challenge to fundraise before going in for a recent leg operation as it would be the last time she could run for a while, raising £15,000 for Meningitis Now.

She also also gives up a lot of her own time helping prosthetic companies develop fun bionic hands for kids.

Tilly’s mum, Sarah Lockey, said: “When she was little there was nothing really good enough out there for children.

“She was worried for how other kids would cope if they were used to having hands and then suddenly lost them.

“Tilly wanted to help people who would need them even more than she did.”

She is now an ambassador for a company called Open Bionics and has helped with the design and development of the first medically approved 3D printed bionic hand in the UK.

In her young life, Tilly has travelled the world speaking on panels about her story and bionic development.

She has modelled at The Whitehouse, in Washington DC, spoke on panels in Amsterdam, including one alongside the Dalia Lama about Technology and Compassion.

She has spoken at San Diego Comic Con and walked the red carpet at the recent Alita battle angel premiere.

Mrs Lockey said: “Tilly’s main focus now is to take away the stigma people feel toward prosthetics.

“Her ambition is to make people feel proud and cool to be wearing such incredible technology.

“She has inspired so many children and adults all over the world.

“I a so proud of her.”