THE parents of a woman who died of cystic fibrosis only months after graduating from the University of Bradford, have praised her determination in battling her health problems.

Stacey Jagger, 21, had appeared to have a bright future in the media industry ahead of her, however, her condition suddenly deteriorated and she died at St James's Hospital in Leeds.

To help remember Stacey, her family are now raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to try to help others with the condition.

Cystic Fibrosis is caused by a faulty gene, and people with the condition have a reduced life expectancy. It causes the lungs and digestive system become clogged with mucus, making it hard to breathe and digest food.

Stacey grew up in Holme Wood, with her parents Marcus Jagger and Julie Marshall, and brother Ben.

She attended St John's Primary School and Yorkshire Martyrs before joining St Bede's sixth form from where she went on to study Media and TV Production at the University of Bradford.

Mr Jagger said despite living with the debilitating condition, Stacey was determined to live her life to the full.

He said: "She was in and out of hospital, but she still managed to keep up in University. She definitely didn't let her condition rule her life. She was coping really well, but recently she deteriorated really quickly, and she lost a lot of lung function."

She was recently admitted to hospital after her health again deteriorated and she was initially given just a few hours to live. However, she hung on for another three weeks, giving her family precious extra time with her.

Mr Jagger added: "She was unbelievably brave. Whenever doctors asked her to do she always did.

"She had actually been offered a couple of jobs after university. When she was younger she was into sports like football, but as she got older that became a bit more difficult for her.

"She also passed her driving test not long ago, and she had just got a new car two weeks before she went into hospital.

"She needed a lung transplant, and while she was on the transplant list, people normally have to wait years."

Stacey was part of a team at the university which produced a film recently nominated for the Royal Television Society Student Awards. At the awards ceremony her friends on the team dedicated the award to Stacey.

She also leaves her devoted boyfriend Leon Hinchcliffe, whom she met at St Bede's and who now works as a nurse at St James's Hospital.

Mr Jagger added: "She did whatever she could and didn't let anything stop her. She had a lot of friends and I think most of them will be at her funeral."

Stacey's family is asking for donations to Cystic Fibrosis ward in lieu of flowers at the funeral.

The fundraising page has already raised £1,250, and the family say it would be Stacey's wish to help others.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/stacey-jagger/

Stacey's funeral will be held on Thursday, December 3, at noon at St Columba's Church, Tong Street, Bradford.