I was diagnosed Diabetic Type 1 when I was 8 years old. For over 25 years I've witnessed the changes in technology from large to small needles, insulin needle pens to more recently an insulin pump and the end of finger prick testing to sensor scanning. These new technologies have given me confidence in my everyday life, whether its on my commute to work, my work day or more recently being a dad. It has also served as an immense confidence booster to run longer distances, providing me with an opportunity to raise money for diabetes.

This will be my third marathon, raising money for Diabetes and my second for JDRF, following the London marathon in 2023 where I was able to raise over £2500. JDRF, is a fantastic charity which helps fund medical research to cure, prevent and treat Type 1 juvenile diabetes. There are currently over 400,000 people in the UK alone living with type 1 diabetes and over 29,000 of them are children.

For the Berlin marathon I will be fundraising for JDRF, to support further research into this disease. Diabetes is not easy and a constant thought, concern and consideration whether its counting carbs, measuring your insulin rate intake or random high and low sugar levels every day - which can be severely debilitating.

According to research from Stanford University, Diabetics make an extra 180 health-related decisions a day than someone without diabetes. This is what motivates me to prove to myself and others that you are able to live a fit and healthy life and accomplish these feats despite having a life long disease such as diabetes.

Any contribution is greatly appreciated for a charity close to my heart and my non-functioning pancreas. Thanks again and I'll keep you all posted with my runs and training.