Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the digestive system which makes it difficult for the body to process food. It is possible to control inflammation and symptoms such as chronic pain, diarrhea and constipation.

But many sufferers need to have a part of their intestine removed, which means being fitted with a colostomy bag to receive the waste products from the body - or are given a temporary colostomy bag to give the colon time to heal.

Bethany has had parts of her intestine removed in small operations, before suffering a bowel rupture in 2010, where she almost died. Since then she has participated in an experimental stem cell treatment which resulted in her getting MRSA, and is waiting for a drug to be funded by the NHS in an attempt to curb the disease.

But she is regaining confidence in her body, writing that "after three and a half years, I decided that my colostomy bags shouldn't control my life. So when I went to Mexico with my husband in December last year I finally showed I wasn't ashamed", which she posted alongside the photo of herself in a bikini on holiday.

Bethany's picture has nearly 200,000 likes and has been shared over 15,000 times, gaining attention for the disease and encouraging other sufferers to contribute their photos. Her story was picked up by the Daily Mail, increasing the awareness of the hashtag. She commented later saying "reading all these comments is truly amazing. Thank you so much for all your support and taking the time to read [my story]. Hoping for a cure and one day it WILL happen."

Crohn's sufferer sparks trend by proudly posing with colostomy bag on show