Whitby father to take on the London Marathon 'for his daughter'

Dominic Shaw's daughter was diagnosed with diabetes when she was just 1 years old. Credit: Family photo

A Whitby father says he is determined to compete this year's London Marathon in the hope his daughter might see a cure for diabetes in her life time.

In 2014 when she was just 1 years old, Dominic’s daughter, Poppy, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after she was seriously ill while on holiday with her family.

She fell into a coma and spent three days in intensive care. She then spent a further month in hospital until her blood sugar levels could be stabilised.

Poppy fell ill on a family holiday Credit: Family photo

Dominic had previously only run 3 miles before 2017 but has been training throughout the winter to take on the challenge of the 26.2 mile course through the centre of London on April the 22nd.

He's aiming to raise more than two thousand pounds for the charity Diabetes UK.

Poppy now leads a normal life using an insulin pump

What is type 1 diabetes?

  • The symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually develop very quickly in young people (over a few days or weeks).

  • In adults, the symptoms often take longer to develop (a few months).

  • Symptoms occur because the lack of insulin means that glucose stays in the blood and isn’t used as fuel for energy. Your body tries to reduce blood glucose levels by getting rid of the excess glucose in your urine.

  • Symptoms include:

  • Feeling very thirsty

  • Passing urine more often than usual, particularly at night

  • Feeling very tired

  • Weight loss and loss of muscle bulk

  • Diabetes can't be cured.

  • Treatment aims to keep blood glucose levels as normal as possible and control symptoms, to prevent health problems developing later in life.