Omagh siblings fighting diabetes one step at a ‘Tyne’

A BROTHER and sister from Omagh – Leanne (27) and Daniel (19) Fullerton – recently completed the Great North Run in aid of Diabetes UK Northern Ireland and, in particular, the charity’s local support group in Omagh.

The siblings decided to tackle on the Tyneside half-marathon for their 12-year-old sister Erin, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was only four.

Leanne said, “We wanted to do something to help raise awareness about this condition but also to celebrate our wee sister who has been so brave in dealing with her diabetes. Diabetes is a really challenging condition to live with – it is so hard to feel like you are getting it right and not everyone understands how tough it can be.

“Thankfully for Erin and many others in the Omagh area, there is the Diabetes UK Omagh Support Group and they have been fantastic. They provide help and support to everyone, not just those living with the condition but also their families. From raising awareness in the local community to keeping young people connected; they provide an amazing service to the local diabetes community. To receive the support that we have has been fantastic, so thank you to everyone who donated and helped us.”

There are nearly 105,000 people living with diabetes in the North and approximately eight per-cent of those are living with type 1 diabetes.

Thanks to the hard work and commitment of the Fullertons, their fundraising total currently stands at £2,365.

Naomi Breen, regional fundraiser for Diabetes UK NI, said, “We would like to thank Leanne and Daniel for taking on the Great North Run and in doing so, helping raise awareness about diabetes. They have raised an incredible amount of money so thank you to everyone who kindly donated, your donation will go on to help support the growing diabetes community in Northern Ireland.”

If you would like to get involved or help raise funds for Diabetes UK Northern Ireland then please get in touch at n.ireland@diabetes.org.uk.