A MOTHER from Hawkesbury Upton has put her best foot forward to raise vital funds for a charity close to her heart.

Debbie Young completed the Bristol 10k on Sunday in aid of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), which has helped her seven-year-old daughter Laura since she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

"It was a few days before Laura’s fourth birthday when she was diagnosed," said Mrs Young, 51. "She was desperately thirsty and kept going to the toilet. My husband Gordon also has diabetes but we still didn’t think it was that.

"I took her to the doctors thinking she might need some antibiotics but the doctor gave me this anxious look and asked if I would be alright to drive her to hospital. She was given her first insulin injection later that day."

Laura, a pupil at Hawkesbury Primary School, was at severe risk of kidney infection or worse but her diabetes was caught in time and she is now able to live a normal life.

Said Mrs Young, who works for charity Readathon: "She is very active. She does swimming, tap dancing, gym and Brownies which is great as it helps her lead a healthy lifestyle.

"But she has had to get used to injections and four blood tests every day. At first she would sit under the table covering her hands so we couldn’t stick pins in them and would only let us give her injections in her bottom as she couldn’t see the needles.

"It goes against all my maternal instincts but she has been fantastic."

Since Christmas, Laura has used an insulin pump which can be programmed to deliver insulin when she needs it.

"It has been life-changing," said Mrs Young. "Her school has been amazing and the other pupils take a real interest.

"I hope it will help them if they ever see someone in a hypo, as they will know what to do."

Mrs Young, who has rheumatoid arthritis, had never managed to run 10 kilometres during her five months of training.

"I had always needed to stop and walk," she said. "Near the end of the 10k I was really struggling but then I heard this little voice saying ‘go on mummy’ and I made it to the finishing line."

Mrs Young has already raised £300 for the JDRF and is hoping more people will donate. Visit www.justgiving.com/DebbieYoungHawkesburyUpton