AN AMBITIOUS mum is preparing for a 40-day challenge to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes – after her daughter was diagnosed with the condition.

 

Abigail Spicer, aged 30, and from Worcester, is set to walk 10,000 steps a day for 40 days, starting on Wednesday, May 3 and finishing on Sunday, June 11.

 

She hopes to raise money for ¬the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDRF) which helps fund research to cure, treat and prevent the illness, while also managing less painful treatments for those suffering with type 1 diabetes.

 

Miss Spicer was inspired to take on the challenge, after her daughter Kaya Costello, aged five, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in October 2016.

 

“I’ve seen how tough it’s been for her, however she has been so brave despite daily painful injections and blood sugar checks, she truly is an inspiration to me and I am so proud of how well she’s managing,” said Miss Spicer, who lives in Warndon Villages.

 

And she is one of four taking part in the challenge.

 

“Myself and my two stepsisters and my cousin are doing this, we’re hoping to raise £500, that’s our target as a group,” added Miss Spicer.

 

She also explained how more needs to be done to more raise awareness of the condition, so parents can spot symptoms of the condition in their children.

 

“I would like this to raise more awareness of type 1 diabetes, and awareness of the fact that it can happen to children,” said Miss Spicer.

 

“It is completely out of the blue when it happens and I’d like more parents to learn the symptoms to spot it as soon as possible.

 

“Thankfully, as my father also has type 1, I knew the symptoms and my daughter was diagnosed within the first few days of hers starting.

 

“However, I wanted to raise awareness for other parents as it’s happening to more and more children.”

 

To make a donation visit the40daystepchallenge.everydayhero.com/uk/team-kaya-128151