A Farsley mum is swimming the equivalent of the English Channel to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK.
Nicky Abbott, 47, is taking on the swimming challenge of the year, Swim 22, between 22 February and 22 May for her daughter Lauren, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, five years ago.
Nicky, who works for Leeds accountancy firm Kirk Newsholme, said:
“When Lauren was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 15, she was about to take her GCSEs and there was so much going on in her life, but she just took it in her stride and got on with it. I know that living with diabetes can be really difficult at times and this is my way of showing my support.
“I’m not the best of swimmers and I know this challenge will be difficult for me at times but that’s nothing compared with what my daughter Lauren has to go through on a day to day basis.”
Before she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Nicky’s eldest daughter Lauren, now 20, had lost over a stone in weight and had increased thirst, two of the main symptoms of diabetes.
People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin. No-one knows exactly what causes it, but it’s not to do with being overweight and it isn’t currently preventable. It’s the most common type of diabetes in children and young adults, starting suddenly and getting worse quickly. Type 1 diabetes is treated by daily insulin doses – taken either by injections or via an insulin pump.
Tyler Anderson, Diabetes UK Regional Fundraiser, said:
“We are delighted that Nicky is making a splash for Diabetes UK. The lengths that she is going to will bring us closer to our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.”
Sign up for Swim22 here. There is no registration fee and no minimum sponsorship.
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