A Marlow campaigner has been honoured by Theresa May for supporting people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other chronic conditions.

Trishna Bharadia has been given the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

The award is given to someone around the country every day to celebrate their achievements.

Ms Bharadia, 38, who appeared on People’s Strictly Come Dancing for Comic Relief a few years ago, was diagnosed with MS in 2008 at the age of 28, and wanted to help others in a similar situation.

Despite working full-time as a translator for a business intelligence company, Ms Bharadia spends a number of hours each week working with multiple stakeholders at a local, national and international level, to bring about change.

Her work includes writing for various publications, being a media spokesperson on healthcare issues, speaking at events and conferences, and co-creating services and information.

She’s an ambassador for MS Society UK and ADD International, is a patron for ParaDance UK and the Cambridge MS Therapy Centre, and sits on the committee for national support group Asian MS.

She also regularly leads talks and advises on research studies and projects, educating healthcare professionals about living with MS.

Speaking about the honour, Ms Bharadia said: “This is amazing news. It’s great to have an initiative that recognises all the work that volunteers are doing across the country, as it will hopefully encourage others to get involved.

“Hopefully they’ll enjoy it as much as I do.”

She is the 974th winner if the Points of Light award. In a letter to Ms Bharadia, Mrs May wrote: “Your invaluable work as an ambassador for the MS Society is raising awareness of Multiple Sclerosis and other chronic conditions.

“Your outreach work, particularly to people in the Asian community, is providing essential information and support to so many others who are living with the condition.”