On April 25th 2016 our daughter Ellie was diagnosed with type one diabetes. It was shock and for Ellie,as a 21 year old student at university (Newcastle) the realisation that this was life changing was HUGE. The focus on study, living independently and having some fun along the way was suddenly joined by a need to check her blood sugar level 4/5/6 or more times a day, get very familiar very quickly with the amount of carbs in her food and inject herself every time before she ate. The spontaneity she valued disappeared. As I write this 6 months on Ellie is managing the condition well and has been blessed by the wonderful support of specialist centres in both Newcastle and Norwich and as a family we have valued and benefitted from the advice and work of Diabetes UK. They do so much for people with diabetes and their families and it is now time for me to "step up to the plate" by getting "out on the streets" and running for the charity. I am delighted to have the opportunity to raise money so they can continue their wonderful work.

And most fittingly the London Marathon is almost a year to the day after Ellie was diagnosed.

Each and very penny you give will be truly appreciated by me, the family and the charity.

Thank you.

Chris