As revealed in the Selby Times earlier this year, the 54-year-old retired civil servant from Hambleton recently won a prestigious Ileostomy Great Comeback Award after battling back from the debilitating condition that caused her immune system to attack her bowel.

Suffering from a plethora of problems, including blackouts, bleeding, diarrhoea and rapid weight loss, Krystyna made the life-changing decision to have ileostomy surgery on her 21st birthday.

The resulting stoma created an artificial opening allowing the passage of bodily fluids and waste products into a discreet bag.

Since Krystyna's surgery in 1976, she has been in and out of hospital, resulting in her ileostomy being re-sited three times. With much of her bowel removed, Krystyna was even been put on 15-minute hospital watches following surgery amid fears she wouldn't pull through.

Taking the bold decision to retire, Krystyna has been given a new lease of life, completing a City and Guilds and RHS qualification in horticulture.

Now she's preparing to share her love of gardening to help coin in the cash for the National Association for Colitis & Crohn's Disease.

Krystyna and husband Zyggy are opening their Chapel Street garden to the public on Sunday between 11am and 5pm. There will also be plant sales, a tombola and gardening books, with neighbour Mira Cooke opening her garden to serve refreshments. Krystyna's former teacher Andy Rayner will hold gardeners' question time events at 12.30 and 3.30pm. Entry is £1.50.

Krystyna said: "I'm obsessed by plants – I must have hundreds, if not thousands, in my garden; it's crammed!

"I hope as many people as possible visit and help raise funds for this good cause."