A TEESSIDE woman who spent the last years of her life helping disabled and disadvantaged people has been honoured with an award.

Claire Forsdyke, who died aged 28 following a heart-lung transplant, was awarded the first Special Recognition Award by the Shaw Trust.

The charity helps place disabled and disadvantaged people back in employment.

Managing director Ian Charlesworth and tennis champion Pat Cash presented the award to Mrs Forsdyke's mother, Pat Midgley, at the Celebration of Achievement Awards in London last month.

Mrs Midgley said: "Never forget that even as she faded, Claire taught us never to give up, always be positive and fight for what we deserve."

Mr Charlesworth said: "The award is tinged with sadness because the winner is no longer with us, but Claire brought light to many lives with her enthusiasm, charisma, flair and professionalism."

Mrs Forsdyke joined the charity project in Stockton in 2003.

She was still recovering from a heart and double lung transplant the previous May and, despite complications such as MRSA, a stroke, seizures and septicaemia, she wanted to return normal life after being out of work for two-and-a-half years.

She was soon offered a position as a development officer in the North-East, where she helped people who needed placements.

On October 6, her second wedding anniversary, Claire became breathless, developing the first of many bouts of pleurisy.

She had radiotherapy, but it was not enough to sustain her. She died on May 1 this year.