Our beautiful boy Bradley was diagnosed with TYPE 1 DIABETES a few weeks after his 7th birthday. It turned our world upside down. Living with TYPE 1 DIABETES is such a tough journey for a child. We want to raise as much awareness as possible in the hope that people understand the symptoms and get their child to the hospital before they become seriously ill. We also want to raise money to help Derby Royal Children's Hospital to provide much needed youth activities where children with TYPE 1 DIABETES can share their life experiences of this devastating diagnosis with each other. Only those who live with it truly understand it.

All the money raised will go directly to the Diabetes Department at the Derby Royal Children's Hospital where Bradley is continuously cared for. They will put the money towards funding a variety of activities for young people living with TYPE 1 DIABETES including regular youth club & education sessions, day trips and residentials. These much-needed activities aim to increase the independence of young people managing their own long-term health condition by encouraging vital peer-support, building skills & confidence and providing access to essential youth worker support. By accessing these activities young people living with TYPE 1 DIABETES understand that despite the many daily challenges the condition brings, living a full life is possible and perhaps most importantly, they are not alone.

We are so so grateful to all the staff in the Diabetes Department at the Derby Royal Children's Hospital for their ongoing care and support for Bradley (and us!).

We will cycle 242 miles from Derby Royal Hospital to Dundalk in Ireland (where Bradleys grandparents live) to try to raise awareness and money for TYPE 1 DIABETES.

What is TYPE 1 DIABETES? It is a condition where your pancreas stops producing insulin. Insulin is the key to your cells, without this glucose can't enter cells to produce energy. With no ability to enter cells glucose levels become very high which leads to serious illness. Diabetics have to inject insulin every time they eat food that contains carbohydrates to prevent blood glucose going high. As children need carbohydrates for growth and energy it means that every time they eat you must calculate the insulin required to allow the cells to absorb the carbohydrates. It is very complex because so many other factors impact it on a day to day basis. Everything from temperature, hormones, sport etc. Diabetics experience hypos too. This is where their blood glucose drops below a certain range which can prevent them from being able to function normally. Hypos can be dangerous and complex if not treated quickly. Most diabetics will experience hypos everyday.