Hey everyone, please take a few moments to read.

On October 6th I along with a small team will be taking part in the Spartan Beast in Windsor. Click here for video This is a 22km (13.5 miles) run with 35 obstacles including climbing ropes and walls, crawling under barbed wire through mud, freezing water and stones, running through fire (wait what am i doing??) and lifting heavy weights up hill over long distances. I haven't completely lost my mind...yet. I wanted to challenge myself and at the same raise some money for an amazing cause. I could have gone with one of the usual charities but instead I've decided to keep it personal. A dear friend of mine has a beautiful, funny and talented wee girl who is living a daily nightmare with type-1 diabetes. Her blood levels literally have to be checked every 5 minutes. I'm sure you can imagine how disruptive that is, not only to a 10 year old child but to her family.

Most people (including me until reading Ruby's story) don't know much about diabetes and assume it's simply a result of poor diet, being over weight or leading a generally unhealthy lifestyle. Click for Diabetes awareness. If i can raise some awareness as well as some cash then I'm blessed and honoured to bring some cheer to a special wee girl.

Ruby's story.

On 30th December 2012, Ruby - just 9 days after her 5th birthday -was diagnosed with Type 1 (insulin dependent) Diabetes.

One minute she was a healthy little girl who just had a cold, like the rest of the family did that winter, the next their world was shattered when they were told she has a lifelong, incurable, chronic and potentially life threatening illness.

Being quite unaware and ignorant about Diabetes, it took a long time to fully understand how to incorporate the constant monitoring of blood glucose levels, administration of insulin and maintaining general good health into their daily routine.

Ruby has been completely amazing and has adapted to this huge change better than anyone could have ever imagined.

She is fortunate in that she has been given an insulin pump rather than injections but this does involve changing a cannula in her bottom linked to the pump which Ruby finds painful and she is genuinely frightened and cries every time it is changed (every 3 days).

For the first 5 years after diagnosis, Ruby had her blood glucose levels checked up to 14 times in a 24 hour period which involves using a small lancet to pierce the skin on her little fingers to provide a drop of blood.

Her monitor displays what her level is in a few seconds and then depending on the figure, her parents administer insulin, glucose or sigh with relief if the figure is 'normal' and wait for the next test.

Her little hands are full of tiny puncture wounds however in March this year, Ruby finally received a Continuous Glucose Monitor (or CGM). This device detects her blood glucose level via a sensor inserted under her skin which then sends a reading to a receiver and her parents’ phones every 5 minutes. The insertion is painful and needs changing every 7 days but it has made a huge difference to her management.

It's a constant battle keeping Ruby's levels regulated. If she falls to low, she could have seizures and slip into a coma and worst case may not wake up.

If her levels go too high, she could develop a potentially fatal condition called DKA. Obviously neither scenario is an option for Ruby’s family, hence the vigorous testing of her blood each day.

Apart from these terrifying outcomes, poor daily management could have serious consequences for her in later life such as kidney problems, loss of vision, circulatory issues which could result in amputation along with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers

There are millions of Type 1 Diabetics across the world and this number is ever increasing.

Ruby didn't develop this illness from eating too much sugar, poor diet or no exercise as some would like to believe, she is a very slim, energetic, intelligent, fit, 10 year old with a great diet.

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means her immune system attacked her own cells, in this case her insulin producing cells in her pancreas.

There have been so many advances in controlling the condition in recent years but there is real hope for a cure in the pipeline with advances in nano-technology and/or creating some sort of artificial pancreas.

Ruby sadly hasn't been blessed with the healthy carefree childhood most of us took for granted. I'm under no illusion that somehow I'll single-handedly raise enough funds to find a cure for Diabetes. I'm simply doing my bit to raise a few pounds to give Ruby something to smile about. Whether that be a special day out with her friends, a trip away with her family or simply some toys she has her eye on.

Every little helps. All donations are greatly appreciated. Unlike many charity donation pages, every penny donated to my crowd funding page will go to Ruby.

Please give whatever you can. If you can't give but are happy to share this page with everyone on your friend list then that too is greatly appreciated.

If anyone is interested in joining my team in Windsor on October 6th please feel free to contact me at wee_john2002@yahoo.com

Thank you one and all. It's nice to be nice.

John x