News
24 October, 2023
Dress in blue and walk in aid of diabetes
Raising money to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes (T1D) will be the chief purpose of the community event at the Woodford-based Tilney Park on Monday (October 30).
All funds will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), while attendees are encouraged to wear blue in accordance with the colour associated with T1D.
Activities including face painting, a raffle, and guessing the number of jellybeans in a jar will take place from 9am until about 9.45am, while there will also be some blue-themed activities.
The other main part of the event will be a 1km walk, starting at 9.45am.
The trek will involve going past the library before stopping for a coffee or milkshake at Grind & Graze Co., and then continuing around town and returning to Tilney Park.
Event organiser Charlotte Collins said she hoped the world could be free of T1D in the future, and that she was “very passionate about finding a cure” for T1D.
A resident of Woodford, the 11-year-old Charlotte was diagnosed with T1D about six years ago and has consequently had to have regular needles as well as follow a strict diet.
“The main challenge of having Type 1 diabetes is that I have to try really hard to regulate my blood sugar levels, otherwise I feel really sick and it can be quite dangerous,” she said.
Despite the difficulties and discomfort which T1D has caused her, Charlotte said having diabetes didn’t stop her from doing anything while it had made her “much braver and much stronger”.
A year 6 student who is homeschooled along with her two sisters, Charlotte also runs a business called Pocket Pals while also selling earrings locally.
With each sale of earrings, Charlotte donates 20 percent of the profits to JDRF.
People can visit the Woodford JDRF Type 1 Walk social media page or email Charlotte at pocketpals2022@gmail.com to register for the upcoming fundraiser.
Alternatively, people can show up on the day without giving advance notice.
