Tilly Lockey

"What sets you apart can sometimes feel like a burden, but it's not. And a lot of the time it's what makes you great."

When Tilly Lockey was 15 months old, she contracted a severe strain of meningococcal septicaemia. Given a 0% chance of survival, she defied the odds after weeks in intensive care and multiple blood transfusions. However, doctors had to amputate her arms.

Growing up, Tilly faced many challenges in a world not designed for her. She initially used prosthetics that were realistic but not functional. Over time, she embraced them as part of her identity, transforming them into symbols of empowerment. Now at 19, she is a motivational speaker, social media star, presenter, model, and advocate, inspiring people of all ages.

As an ambassador and co-developer of the Hero Arm, a groundbreaking 3D-printed bionic prosthetic by Open Bionics, Tilly provides crucial feedback to advance prosthetic technology. She is passionate about innovation and won't stop until prosthetics match what we see in science fiction.

Tilly challenges perceptions of disability, turning difference into a statement of strength. She speaks on topics including adversity, empowerment, and the future of technology, using her unique experience to inspire and drive change.

Tilly received a Humanitarian Concord Award for Social Impact by the ICLF in New York at the NYSummit19, and a Northern Children of Courage Award by the St. James's Place Charitable Foundation for having overcome barriers, and helped others.