A dad from Whitby, whose daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after falling ill on holiday in 2014, is taking on the challenge of a lifetime to run this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon and raise money for Diabetes UK.
Dominic Shaw, 37, a quantity surveyor from Ruswarp was inspired to take on the gruelling 26-mile challenge on Sunday 22 April following the shock diagnosis of his daughter Poppy almost four years ago.
Poppy, 4, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after falling into a coma while on holiday in Turkey. Dad Dominic says that the condition was recognised by doctors just in time:
“Poppy had been under the weather for a few days but after we arrived on holiday she deteriorated fast. We took her to the hospital and at first they were unable to tell what was wrong. It was only after she fell into a coma, that the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes were picked up and she was diagnosed.”
Poppy, who was just 1-year-old at the time she developed diabetic ketoacidosis, was in intensive care for three days and then remained in hospital for over a month as her family waited for her to recover.
Her dad hopes that he can raise awareness of the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes so that more children and young people get a quick diagnosis and avoid becoming seriously ill.
Dominic added: “It’s going to be quite a challenge because, although I’ve always enjoyed running, up until now I’ve never ran further than 5 miles. I hope that my efforts will prevent other families from experiencing what we have and make a difference to the lives of people living with diabetes.”
To sponsor Dominic at Just Giving.
