This year I will be taking on a number of
challenges to raise money for Diabetes UK along the way.

Last year at only 4 years old my niece was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes after becoming unresponsive following very high blood sugar levels leading to serious problem called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Her body had started to break down fat for energy as she did not enough insulin, which lead to a build-up of acid (ketones) in her blood. After a week in hospital she came home with a diagnosis to last a life time, and a long road of learning for all of us ahead.

Type 1 diabetes causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood to become too high. It happens when your body can't produce enough of a hormone called insulin, which controls blood glucose. Betsy now needs daily injections of insulin to keep her blood glucose levels under control. Type 1 diabetes isn't linked with age or being overweight, it is usually an autoimmune response to a virus that attacks the cell that produce the insulin, killing them alongside the virus.

With Betsy's journey in mind I have decided not to
challenge myself once but through the year to represent the multiple hurdles that she now has to face.

The events I have entered so far are:

• 20th January Stowe 12km Trail Race
• 17th March Richmond Half Marathon
• 19th April Maidenhead 10 Miles
• 11th May Chiltern Ridge Trial Half Marathon
• 25th May TRIBE x Maverick Run Free Marathon
  
• 9th June Hampshire Hoppit Half Marathon
• 22-23rd June Race to the King Double Marathon
• 14th July The Hell-Fire Half 
• 11th August Burnham Beeches Half Marathon
• 8th September Farnham Pilgrims Marathon
• 12th October Maverick Oxfordshire 21km
  
• 20th October Freith Hilly 10k
• 3rd November Marlow Half Marathon
• 12th January Cliveden XC 10km
• 18th April 2020 Brighton Marathon

Until my niece was diagnosed I had no idea just how many people diabetes effects. In fact I have discovered friends who suffer or have children who suffer, but until then it had not be a conversation topic. Diabetes affects more people than any other serious health condition in the UK. More than dementia and cancer combined. That means we need to take action now.

Diabetes UK is the leading UK charity for people affected by diabetes, leading the fight against the growing crisis. And this fight is one that involves all of us – sharing knowledge and taking diabetes on together.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you for your time in reading my JustGiving page,

Love Sophie