VIDEO: Isle boy’s splash for cash to help diabetics

The four-year old fell severely ill at the end of last year, then his family were stunned to learn he had type one diabetes.

The shock diagnosis followed a traumatic night in Doncaster Royal Infirmary, when Liam almost slipped in to a coma.

Since then, he has adapted well to his condition, and wanted to raise money to help other youngsters who suffer from diabetes, and to aid work to research and treat it.

By swimming 150 metres in Epworth pool using a shark float, Liam has raised £718 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“We are very proud,” said mum Emma Downing. “We would like to thank all our friends and family and Liam’s school Belton all Saints’ along with many others who showed support. I wish we could thank everyone individually who has been there for us.”

Liam said: “Everyone has been nice and made me feel a lot better about everything. Sometimes I get upset but I get tired very easily. I have type one diabetes for ever now unless they find a way to make me better.”

The family, that includes Liam’s sister Lucy, now live at Misterton.

Emma added: “Our lives changed for ever when Liam was rushed in to HDU at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. After a night there he recovered enough to go on a ward. That’s where we began to learn about his condition. Type one diabetes affects around 400,000 people and 29,000 of them are children. It’s a chronic condition and we will raise money for research in to it in any way we can.”

The grateful mum expressed special thanks to Secret Gardens private child care, staff at Wroot Primary School, everyone at Sunspot salons, staff and families at Keith Clough estate agency and Epworth pool staff.

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