'A rare condition meant I was on the toilet 30 times a day and I nearly died- now I'm solo travelling in a van'

A young woman who has a rare medical condition which saw her need to use the toilet up to 30 times a day has celebrated being back to full health by going solo travelling in a van.

Matilda Crome, 24, from Manchester, was diagnosed with the bowel condition Crohn's disease after she began suffering with stomach problems aged 14. Her condition became so severe that she took her GCSE exams in her bed at her home ith an invigilator sat next to her.

At her worst, Matilda lost a staggering six stone and nearly died after developing sepsis. But new medication meant Matilda was healthy enough buy a van and go on a solo climbing trip, travelling to Spain and Morocco in October 2023 and February 2024.

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After returning, she underwent surgery to remove her colon and reattach her small bowel to her rectum, and now hopes to go travelling again.

Her symptoms began aged 14 while on holiday with her parents in Italy and they put her 'gassy stomach' down to eating lots of pizza. They assumed she might have a gluten intolerant, but her symptoms continued to get worse at home.

Back home, her issues were dismissed by doctors as period pains or IBS - but Matilda feared it was more serious when she found blood in her poo. Two years later, she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease.

Matilda, who cannot work due to her condition, from Manchester, said: "I was going to the toilet up to 30 times a day. When I saw blood in my poo, I thought I had cancer and was going to die."

"I was past from pillar to post and told it was all in my head. When I finally got my diagnosis, I cried with pure relief.

Matilda battled severe