Jeni and Richard Brookes from Ashby De La Zouch, Leicestershire have organised a trek up Snowdon in Wales on Saturday, 29 July with a group of friends and have already raised over £3,200.
Their son Harry, 9 was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in February 2022 aged 8. Initially, his GP thought he had an Urinary Tract Infection, but Harry ended up being admitted to hospital with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious condition when there is severe lack of insulin in the body.
Jeni said: “We have adapted to Harry’s diabetes as a normal way of life and he has done brilliantly with it. It can sometimes be frustrating for him but it doesn’t stop him from doing anything. He still plays football four times a week. Harry uses Dexcom, a Continuous Glucose Monitor. It’s been amazing and everyone should have access to this technology, as it has given Harry so much freedom and peace of mind for us to keep an eye on him anywhere through our smartphones. We just have to be one step ahead”
Harry’s father, Richard is a football coach for Harrys Team at Ashby Ivanhoe and rallied the troops by asking other parents and players to get involved in the Snowdown trek. Jeni said: “We wanted to do something challenging as Harry faces challenges every day of his life! Planning is going well, with some of the team practicing by going up the Peaks and Kinder Scout. For us, is really important to raise awareness of an autoimmune condition that most people don’t know enough about, particularly the main symptoms: Toilet Thirsty, Tired, Thinner”.
Snowdon in the Snowdonia National Park stands at 1,085 metres and is the highest mountain in Wales and in Britain outside the Scottish Highlands.
Among those putting on their walking boots is Honor Massarella, parent of one of the boys at Ashby Ivanhoe who also lives with type 1 diabetes. Honor was the youngest person in Northern Ireland to be diagnosed at 20 months old back in 1976. At the time her family were told that her life expectancy was just 20 years, how wrong they were as she approaches 50 next year with two healthy sons! Honor has been a huge support to Harry and has also started a fundraising page for the Snowden Trek.
Jeni and Honor's joint team page has now raised a total of £2500.
Charlotte Wright Community Fundraising Manager at Diabetes UK Midlands & East said: “We are incredibly grateful for the support of the team to help raise awareness and vital funds for our work. They are already over halfway towards their fundraising target with many plans still to happen to reach their goal!”
To support Jeni, Richard and Harry Brookes and find out more about Harry’s story please visit:
Ashby Ivanhoe FC Rangers and Ashby Hockey Club Coaches - Climbing Snowdon for Diabetes UK fundraising for Diabetes UK on JustGiving
