Sheffield teenager takes on Bupa Great Yorkshire Run after best friend dies from diabetes
Hannah Harriman, 19, of Millhouses, Sheffield (pictured right), will run the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run on 5 September for leading health charity Diabetes UK after her best friend, Sophie Watson (pictured left), died from a rare condition linked to diabetes three days short of her 18th birthday in 2008.
Like most best friends Hannah and Sophie met at school, hung out together at weekends and talked about boys they fancied. Hannah knew Sophie had had Type 1 diabetes since she was a child and although had to be very careful about what she ate and when she was ill, had never let the condition get to her or stop her doing the things she loved.
Hannah remembers back to October 2008: “Sophie was getting ready to celebrate her 18th birthday and was finally going to meet my partner, Andy, at the celebrations. She had arranged for all of her friends to go in a limo and then out for tea to celebrate.
We were really looking forward to it and on Saturday 4th October 2008 I texted her saying ‘I’m so excited about seeing you next Friday.’” Sadly the next day and three days short of her birthday, Sophie (pictured below) died in her sleep suddenly and without warning from a rare condition known as ‘dead in bed syndrome2’, which can be linked to diabetes.
“To say I was heartbroken would be an understatement,” said Hannah. Hannah had never taken part in any fundraising for Diabetes UK while Sophie was alive but after her death, wants to try and help people with the condition and prolong her memory of Sophie.
“If my fundraising helps just one person with diabetes lead a better and longer life then it would mean more than anything in the world to me. I have set up a JustGiving page which I have used to try and promote my fundraising and the cause.”
Hannah had signed up for this year’s Sheffield Half Marathon 2010 with the help of three friends. Together they raised awareness for what they were doing and many of Sophie’s friends and family gave money towards it.
"Unfortunately I had to pull out due to a leg injury but the other runners completed the marathon. With the help of friends and family of Sophie we have raised over £500 so far and the figure is rising. “I have now set my sights on the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run on 5 September which I will complete no matter what,” said Hannah.
“I miss Sophie so much and I’d hate to think that someone else was going to go through the same pain as I did. If I could give one more hour to have her back I would tell her how much she meant to me; how much she made me laugh and how much she cared for me and everyone she knew. She was a fabulous friend and a role model to all of those around her.”
Lisa Stafford, Regional Fundraising Officer for Diabetes UK Northern and Yorkshire, said: “If you have been inspired by Hannah and would like to take part in the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run while raising vital funds for Diabetes UK, please register. All runners will receive a running vest and crazy hair in their fundraising packs.”