Nicola Simpson (32) was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of just six, and was given only a few years to live.

But Nicola, who is also diabetic and suffers from arthritis, said she has never let her illness dictate how she lives her life.

And since then she has bungee jumped, run a half-marathon, completed a 25-mile pony trek and become a mum.

The care worker, who is mother to 12-year-old Ian, despite being told she would be unable to have children, says she hasn't let her condition affect her life.

"That's just the way I am, I don't let it affect me.

"I'll always remember the day when I was diagnosed when I was six and they told me I might not make my 16th birthday.

"I thought to myself I am going to do that, and every other target they set, because that's the kind of person I am.

"I set myself a lot of goals to achieve."

The bungee jump, which took place over Whitby Goth weekend, was not the first time Nicola, who has two sisters Emma and Becky and a brother, James, has pushed herself to the limit, after taking part in the Great North Run in 2005 and a 25-mile pony trek when aged just seven.

"I discharged myself from hospital on the Friday and ran the race on the Sunday," she said.

"When I was doing the bungee jump, the instructor at the top said if you look through the platform you can see the sea below, so stupidly I did and I was terrified.

"The worst bit was when you drop of the edge because for the first few seconds you are just in free-fall.

"But I really enjoyed it and want to do it again.

"I'm already thinking of what to do next; I'm not sure at the moment, but I fancy something like a parachute jump or white water rafting."

After her latest adrenaline- fuelled escapade her family have spoken of their pride about Nicola's attitude which has never once let the illness stand in her way.

Her mother Barbara said they were all in awe of her bravery and attitude as she continues to defy the doctors and her condition.

"She is amazing, and we are all tremendously proud of her," she said.

"Nicola never tells people about it and just ploughs on through it all.

"She never tells anyone what she's doing and I only found out just before it that she was doing the bungee jump.

"She is just brilliant and we all love her to bits."

Barbara said they wanted to publicise her achievements to offer hope to other families affected by the illness.

"When we used to take Nicola to St James' in Leeds, there would be children there getting treatment and the next time we went, they were not there anymore," she said.

"For the first year when you find out, it is just a living grief, but Nicola has shown that you can still live a normal life.