In April, Dad and I will be running the London Marathon together to raise money for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). JDRF is a world class charity, supporting research to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes.

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in September 2021 - to say that this was a shock is an understatement. My life changed overnight, but I soon learnt of the amazing work of JDRF, which goes a long way to improving the lives of people like me who are living with diabetes:

When I was first diagnosed I had to take my own blood tests over 12 times a day, whilst also getting to grips with injecting myself with insulin, counting carbs, and managing all of the other factors that can contribute to blood sugar levels.

That all changed, when I was lucky enough to be given a Continuous Glucose Monitor, which monitors my blood sugars and sends alerts to my phone. This means I no longer have to prick my finger for blood tests countless times a day just to survive, making such a huge difference to my daily life.

The technology would not have been possible without the work of charities like JDRF. Any money that we raise will help extend their support to young Type 1 diabetics around the UK; to fund further improvements to the life-changing technology and to help with JDRF research towards ultimately finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes.

Doing the marathon as an Insulin-dependent runner will bring its challenges, which we hope that ‘Team Cawker’ will rise to. We know that there are so many amazing causes out there, but Dad and I would be hugely grateful for any donation that you can make to JDRF, to help continue to fund the vital research around treatment, prevention and cure of type 1 diabetes going forward.

Thank you.