If you’d told 8 year old Laura, newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, that one day I’d be running the London Marathon, I don’t think I would’ve believed you.

In 2027, I’ll be taking on the London Marathon for Diabetes UK, and honestly, this one means everything to me.

I’ve lived with Type 1 diabetes for 28 years. For 28 years there hasn’t been a single day where diabetes hasn’t been there. Every meal, every night, every holiday, every run, every illness, every celebration. It’s the first thing I think about when I wake up and often the last thing I think about before I go to sleep.

People often only see the injections, but they don’t see the mental load that comes with it. The constant decisions, the blood sugar swings, the middle-of-the-night alarms, the hypos that appear out of nowhere, and the worry about what years of living with diabetes can mean for your future health.

Running has become a huge part of my life over the last few years, but Type 1 diabetes has come along for every mile. I’ve had runs cut short by hypos, races where I’ve had to stop and treat low blood sugars, and plenty of moments where diabetes has tried to make things harder. But every time, I’ve kept going.

That’s why running for Diabetes UK feels so special.

This isn’t just about running 26.2 miles. It’s about representing everyone living with Type 1 diabetes who shows up every day and does the best they can. It’s about raising money for research, support and education. And it’s about giving something back to a charity that works tirelessly to improve the lives of people affected by diabetes.

I know training won’t be easy. There will be plenty of early mornings, long runs, sore legs and probably a few hypo stories along the way. But standing on that start line will be an absolute privilege, and crossing the finish line will mean more to me than I can put into words.

If you’d like to support me, I’d be incredibly grateful. Every donation, no matter the size, will help Diabetes UK continue their amazing work.

Thank you for following my journey and helping me turn 28 years of living with Type 1 diabetes into something positive.