A MOTHER in Hale is working hard to to raise money for type one diabetes after her twins were diagnosed with the disease just over five years ago.

Eight-year-old Amelie started with symptoms of type one diabetes when she was two and a half years old. She was thirsty, urinating very often and lost a lost of weight and six months later her twin Albie started the same.

The pair now have to test their blood between 10 and 12 times a day, monitor what they eat and how much the exercise and relies on an insulin pump to stay alive.

Although the twins are now able to work the machines themselves, they have grown up under constant supervision due to serious complications if the disease is not monitored.

Their mother, Jude Sutton used to work for Sky in London, she moved back up to the North to start a family where she worked freelance. When her children were diagnosed with diabetes, she started to volunteer for the JDRF - the only UK charity to concentrate solely on research for type one diabetes, and in 2015 Jude become employed as its regional fundraiser.

She said: “Type 1 diabetes is a very complicated illness and I realised I just couldn’t sit back and let someone else raise money to try to find a cure for my daughters.

“The daily struggle of training is nothing compared with the challenge of living with type one diabetes, and I want to do everything I can to raise awareness for the disease.”

This week over 500 people in Greater Manchester gathered together for a 2.5k, JDRF Fun Run, in Wythenshawe Park in Manchester. Children and their parents took on ten obstacles, whilst being covered in paint and slid down a giant inflatable slide.

Amelie and Albie took part in the race with 30 other people from their class at Bowdon Church School. The charity raised over £20,000 from the event.

In October, Jude will be completing the Manchester half marathon and will be joined by 150 other runners from JDRF to raise awareness for type one diabetes. She has ran several marathons over the years but she says this race is its biggest ever with around 150 others joining her.

Jude said: “Running for me has become a form of escapism.

“It’s half an hour by myself where I get away from thinking and worrying about type 1 diabetes. I don’t mind getting outside in all weathers – rain, snow, hail – although hopefully we won’t get that on race day!”