Andrew’s Great North Run 2018 for Type1Kidz

On 6 May 2016 our lives changed forever. Our beautiful fun loving 5 year old daughter Darcey was diagnosed with Type1 Diabetes. Having no family history or experience of this disease, the news came as a huge shock. We were given a few days training in hospital, issued with a cupboards worth of medical supplies & finally allowed home. 2 years on we still mourn the carefree life we had, but Darcey’s resilience & positive approach to all she goes through is an inspiration! I want to do something, I want to know what causes this cruel condition, & I want to be part of finding a cure. So last year I took up running for the first time in my life, so I could complete the Great North Run, fundraise, & help make a difference. It was tough going, but I’m doing it again! For Type1Kidz We found about Type1Kidz at the hospital on discharge from diagnosis. My wife Elizabeth (then 30 weeks pregnant!) went along 3 weeks later with Darcey, & have gone monthly ever since. The group is a safe space where Darcey doesn’t feel like the odd one out. She sees role models, & other children openly talking about their own type1 diabetes & it helps her understand. We’ve had the opportunity to experience some great activities & family days out & we’ve learned so much, not just from the visiting diabetes specialists, but from the other families on the same journey as us. This cannot be underestimated. It’s a steep learning curve, but being able to share that with others either ahead of you, or more recently diagnosed, is so valuable. Elizabeth is open about feeling that she wouldn’t have gotten through the last 2 years without the support we’ve found & the friends made at type1kids. We’ll be forever grateful to them & I’d love to give back by raising as much as possible. Type1Kidz is facilitated by Investing in Children & is reliant on funding. There are groups across the NorthEast directly benefitting families like us. Any donation much appreciated! type1kidz.com