Update - I did it! 😆

After 3 rearranged dates, (thank you great British weather), I can finally say I completed my skydive for Diabetes UK 💙

I’m so overwhelmed and grateful for everyone's generous donations. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and to my incredibly brave and strong cousin Ella, I hope I did you and the rest of the diabetes community proud.

Overall, a truly surreal, breath-taking and thrilling experience. One to tick off my bucket list and most certainly, one I'd do again!

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Type 1 diabetes, otherwise known as T1D. A misunderstood, all-consuming and life long illness that effects 8% of those living with diabetes in the UK today. 

“Just eat less sugar”, or “Get some exercise”, are often phrases that my cousin, Ella who suffers with T1D is used to hearing. 

Having only just turned 18, Ella was diagnosed with T1D back in June 2020 during the peak of Covid. Instead of enjoying a carefree, spontaneous and exciting life, her whole world was turned upside down and all her plans for the future were put into disarray with her diagnosis.   

Despite this awful setback, she took the very brave decision to continue with her dream of going to university and so just 12 weeks later she began her studies at the University of Surrey. 

Ella has been incredible in the way she has coped with such a lifechanging illness and has tried her hardest not to let it hold her back. However,  T1 Diabetes is relentless and it controls every aspect of a person's life. 

Not only does a T1 Diabetic have to deal with the physical effects of T1D, the impact it has on a person's mental and emotional health can be devastating too. The condition is also unpredictable, even more so when a person is unwell.

In September 2022, Ella was found unconscious by her flatmates having fallen into a diabetic coma. She was rushed to hospital and immediately admitted to intensive care. Thankfully, she made a full recovery but it is a stark reminder of just how serious and life threatening this condition can be.

As someone who is extremely close to Ella and has had to watch her endure some of the incredibly frustrating and upsetting side effects of Diabetes, I will be Skydiving to not only raise money for Diabetes UK, but to raise awareness for a cause that is very close to my family’s heart.

The great courage, strength and bravery Ella has shown throughout is nothing short of inspiring and I am determined to support her through this and giveback in anyway that I can.  

Thank you so much for taking the time to read a little bit more about mine and more importantly, Ella’s story! Any donation, no matter how big or small would mean the absolute world!

If you would like to learn more about Type 1 diabetes and the common misconceptions, please visit https://www.diabetes.org.uk.