A blood poisoning survivor is raising money for the UK Sepsis Trust after making it through to the next stage on the road to potentially becoming Miss World.

Jessica Tuffield was named Miss Charity London on Tuesday after helping generate more than £5,000 in funds for the charity after first developing the potentially deadly condition in 2016.

The 23-year-old organised a Sepsis Dinner and Dance at the Kuflink Stadium in Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, on Friday, May 17.

It was supported by Jessica’s Miss London sponsor and employer, G&M Motors, based in Milton Road, Gravesend, and loan provider Kuflink UK, of West Street.

After first falling ill, sales executive Jessica, who grew up in Gravesend, said she was unaware the condition “even existed”.

She believed she had a chest infection, something she is prone to due to her Tietze syndrome, which causes pain and swelling around the ribs.

She said: “I started to have heavy nose bleeds, which were soon embarrassing because of how random they became.

“My energy levels dropped dramatically and I could barely get myself out of bed.”

As her condition began to worsen, Jessica was sent home from work before being rushed to hospital on the advice of her GP.

“I could not lift my head up, was vomiting and became extremely drowsy with a very high temperature." - Jessica Tuffield

She said: “Unfortunately that night I was released from hospital, and within half an hour of being at home with my parents, I once again began to deteriorate.

“I could not lift my head up, was vomiting and became extremely drowsy with a very high temperature.

“My mum was quick to call the ambulance and thankfully was aware of the sepsis signs. It was quick to arrive and if it wasn’t for my mum, I would not be here today.”

Within a year of first developing the illness, Jessica once again contracted sepsis, leaving her fatigued and forced to “take things really slow”.

Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, is the immune system’s overreaction to an infection or injury - whereby it attacks the body’s own organs and tissues. If not treated immediately, sepsis can result in organ failure and death, yet with early diagnosis, it can be treated with antibiotics.

In the UK alone, 52,000 people die of sepsis every year.

With better awareness, the UK Sepsis Trust believes 14,000 of those affected could be saved annually, as with early diagnosis the illness is easily treatable.

Miss London is a regional heat for Miss England - and Jessica will compete in the Miss England semi final, for the title of Miss Charity Queen, later this month.

The winner will go on to compete for the title of Miss England and the chance to be sent to the Miss World competition in Thailand later this year.

Win or lose, Jessica plans to keep fundraising, bringing survivors and families who have lost a loved one to sepsis together.

To find out more about the UK Sepsis Trust visit sepsistrust.org

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