Mum takes on London Marathon to raise cash for diabetes charity

The London Marathon, run on April 24, sees dozens of team Diabetes UK runners take to the streets to run the 26.2 mile course.

Sam Cahill, 40, is running the marathon because her son and husband both have type one diabetes.

She has been training hard for the event and said, “William, nine, was diagnosed at 18 months he was probably ill for a month prior to diagnosis, we took him to the doctors three or four times before diagnosis and they said virus or just generally ill.

“Simon, my husband, already had type one diabetes so we did have an understanding of what it entailed.

“Maybe emotionally that made it worse as we knew what was to come, but at least we had knowledge.”

Sam and Simon have managed William’s condition well throughout his childhood but as he grows older there are different issues to be considered.

Sam added, “Times are changing for William as he is now embarrassed to get his pump out or be checked in public, so we need a wireless one, but they are all too big for his body at the moment.”

Sam is running the marathon on Sunday because she wants to help the charity with its research and make sure that people with diabetes can live as normal life as possible.

She added, “Diabetes doesn’t stop us doing anything, Wills is an awesome trail biker, loves swimming and climbing trees, if anything it makes me more determined to show him anything is possible, it doesn’t define you – you just have to plan.”

Laura Crow, Diabetes UK fundraising manager, said, “The London Marathon is an amazing event to be a part of.

“The months of training and dedication from Sam will be turned in April into a one-of-a-kind way to see London at its best.

“Together with the rest of Team Diabetes UK they will raise vital funds to help people living with diabetes.

“Every penny raised will help us to support the 3.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK so please give generously to back Sam and support their amazing effort.”

For more information or to sign up for future fundraising events for Diabetes UK, visit www.diabetes.org.uk/London-Marathon or call the events fundraising team on 0345 123 2399.

To sponsor Sam in this year’s marathon visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/samantha-cahill4

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