Lorraine and her grandson Ben wanted to make a difference

Ben, left,  centre left  Lorraine and Jenni (Fundraising Administrator), with helpers

Every year, Lorraine and her helpers raise money for a different charity at the Weston Park Helifest Model Helicopter Competition.

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Ben 

"I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was doing my A levels. It made my last year of 6th form quite difficult, especially after I was taken into hospital as I was suffering with ketoacidosis and severe dehydration.

The hospital put me in an induced coma untill they could get my levels correct and my family were worried sick as they didn't know what would happen. I didn't want to accept I was diabetic and everything that went with it, like having to keep testing and injecting insulin, but I've now come to terms with it.

Instead, I have used it to motivate me to be healthier and more active which has led me to lose weight and feel a lot better about myself. I couldn't have done this without the help and support of all my family." 

Lorraine

This year we decided to raise funds for Diabetes UK as my grandson Ben was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This gave us the motivation to raise awareness and help find a cure for the people affected by this condition every day.

We had a stall at the show selling mugs and refreshments and a bottle tombola stall. Other stall holders donated prizes for the auction held on the Saturday night and without their generosity, along with everyone who kindly bought the items and took part in our auction, we wouldn't have been able to raise our fantastic total of £1,331.82.

We gave out information about diabetes on the day and were surprised at the number of people that suffer with it. A man came to the stall with his little boy who was diagnosed a few months after he was born and fitted with a pump. His dad said he just enjoys life as he's never known anything different.

He was such a happy child and loved the balloons we gave him, an inspiration. If the money we raised helps the people with this life threatening condition, it will have been worth all the hard work.

Inspired by Lorraine and Ben? Order our Your Way fundraising kit, it's bursting with ideas to help you raise vital funds for people affected by diabetes.